The Best Time of Day for Your Meds

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

30 Mar 2008 11:07 AM

I've mentioned before how it's a good idea to take a multivitamin in the morning, with breakfast. Why? Because it gives your body fuel to use throughout the day!

Other medications work best when taken at different times of the day, too.

If you suffer from arthritis (especially osteoarthritis), your best bet is to take your long-acting painkillers in the morning. If you're taking Celebrex or another time-release painkiller, the AM is the way to go. That way, the painkiller will be working when you need it the most -- while you're out and about during the day. If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, you may need an additional dose at night so you can sleep peacefully.

If you suffer from asthma and take oral prednisone, your best time of day to take medication is in the middle of the afternoon. Studies have shown that 3pm is the best time to take your asthma medicine in order to control nighttime symptoms (which can often be more severe than daytime symptoms).

Several medications work best when taken at night, including:

• Antihistamines for allergies. The active ingredient will work through your bloodstream while you sleep and be ready to tackle allergens that are high in the early morning (like pollens). And if antihistamines make you sleepy (they tend to knock me out), taking them at bedtime means you'll be sleepy anyway. You don't have to worry about fighting the drowsies.
• High blood pressure medication. Blood pressure tends to be highest in the morning. Taking your meds at night will ensure that you have the highest drug level in your blood stream in the AM, ready to do battle with hypertension.
• Short acting statins for cholesterol. The body makes cholesterol at night -- taking your short acting statins at bedtime can help reduce cholesterol levels more effectively than a morning dose.

Even cancer can respond differently to chemotherapy at different times of the day, according to research from France! Talk to your doctor about the best time of day for your particular medications.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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