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Sleep News Blog

Prescription Sleep Medicine

Pills and Vitamins - Taken Properly Will Optimize the Effect

Posted by sleepyguy in Prescription Sleep Medicine on October 03rd, 2009

Do you take pills or vitamins on a regular basis Or do you take an aspirin once in a while Either way, one thing we should all understand is that when not taken properly, pills can cause unnecessary and unwanted discomfort. A pill is defined as a small ball, tablet, capsule, etc., of medicine to be swallowed whole.

Proper intake of pills will optimize the desired effect. Tablets are usually referred to as pills. Mostly, pills are medicinal or a dietary preparation and made in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole. Prior to the use of machine-compressed tablets, pills were very popular products.

Pills should be taken standing up and we should continue standing for at least two minutes. Swallow them with at least a half cup of water. Continue standing so as to give the pills a chance to move along swiftly and keep them from staying in your esophagus where they can disintegrate and cause nausea or heartburn.

Stephen H. Paul, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical economics and health care delivery at Temple University’s School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia reports that multivitamins and fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E should be taken with the largest meal of the day. That is when the most fat is present in the stomach to aid in the absorption of the vitamins.

Vitamins C and B-complex are water-soluble and should be taken while eating a meal or a half-hour before the meal. Vitamins help start the biochemical process that breaks down food, and makes it available to use in the form of energy and for tissue building. If you take large doses of vitamin C, take it in small amounts throughout the day. This way, your body will use more of it that way, and you will help prevent urinary-track irritation.

A word of caution to all, never ever take large or mega doses of any vitamins, minerals or herbs unless you do it under the direction and supervision of your physician or health professional. It is important for us to remember that in order to get the maximum benefit of our pills, vitamins and medications, we should take them as recommended.