Expert: Should I take medicine with cold or hot water?

When taking medicine, many people often do not pay attention to the temperature of the water they drink. However, according to medical experts, water temperature can directly affect the absorption, effectiveness and even safety of the medicine.

How does water temperature affect the effectiveness of the drug?

Taking medication properly is important to ensure treatment effectiveness and limit unwanted side effects, emphasizes Yashaswini Reddy, a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry (India). In particular, water temperature is a factor that many people often ignore, according to the pharmaceutical journal Pharma Times.

Ms. Yashaswini Reddy said that cold water can soothe the stomach in some cases, while warm water can help the medicine absorb faster. However, the choice of cold or warm water should depend on the type of medicine, the formulation, and the individual's characteristics.

It is safest to take medication with cool or room temperature water.

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Cold water - not always suitable

Taking medication with cold water may be beneficial in certain cases.

Reduce stomach upset: Cold water helps reduce irritation or burning sensation in the stomach caused by certain medications.

Slower absorption : Cold water can slow absorption, which can be beneficial for medications that need a long-lasting effect.

However, for drugs that require rapid absorption, using cold water can reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

What about taking medicine with hot water?

According to Dr. Reddy, hot water can negatively affect medications in several ways:

Decomposition of active ingredients : High temperatures can break down the structure of active ingredients, reducing the effectiveness of the drug.

Change in absorption : Hot water causes the medicine to dissolve too quickly, easily causing excessive absorption, leading to side effects.

Damage to the drug coating : For tablets or capsules that have a coating that controls the release of the drug into the body, hot water can break down this protective coating.

Increased risk of irritation : Some medications may cause a burning sensation or ulceration if used with hot water.

Effects on liquid medicines : Liquid preparations or antibiotics or vitamins are easily damaged when exposed to high temperatures.

Expert Tip: Use cool or room temperature water

Dr. Reddy recommends: It is safest to take the medicine with cool or room temperature water. This helps ensure the medicine is absorbed properly, maximizes its effectiveness and minimizes risks, according to Pharma Times.

Additional notes when taking medication

If you feel uncomfortable taking medicine with water at a certain temperature, adjust it to suit your body. In case of uncertainty, consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure safety and optimal treatment effectiveness.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chuyen-gia-nen-uong-thuoc-voi-nuoc-lanh-hay-nuoc-nong-185250801000938016.htm