Are We Drinking Enough Water With Our Medicines? Expert Answers

We have been told a zillion times about the importance of hydration. From our family members to doctors, everyone keeps reminding us to drink enough water throughout the day for good health. But when we are taking medicines, this ‘gospel truth’ slips out of our mind. We focus so much on the pills, that we forget whether we are taking the right amount of water with it or not. And let me tell you, hydration during medication plays a major role in how well the body absorbs the pills.

In an exclusive interaction with the editorial team of OnlyMyHealth, Dr Tushar Tayal, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital Gurgaon, shares insights on this topic. Read to know more.

Importance Of Hydration During Medication

Hydration has varied benefits like improving digestion, normalizing blood pressure, increasing cognitive function, boosting energy, regulating body temperature, and the list goes on. But what if we tell you that hydration also plays an important role when you take your medication?

“Hydration plays a big role in how your body absorbs and processes medicines. Water helps tablets and capsules dissolve properly in the stomach, allowing the drug to reach the bloodstream faster. It also prevents irritation of the food pipe (esophagus) and stomach lining. Some medicines, like antibiotics or painkillers, can be harsh on the stomach, and enough water acts as a cushion and helps reduce side effects,” says Dr Tayal.

The Right Amount Of Water With Medication

The next question that comes to our mind is: how much water is enough? “As a general rule, always take medicines with a full glass of water — about 200 to 250 ml. This ensures the pill doesn’t get stuck in your throat and helps it move smoothly into the stomach. If the medication label says ‘take with plenty of water’, that’s especially important—for example, with antibiotics and painkillers,” answers Dr Tayal.

Let’s take a look at some other factors that influence how much water we should take with our medicines:

• Water from other sources — Different fruits and vegetables like melons, strawberries and lettuce are high in water content.
• Pre-existing health conditions and medications — Those who have diabetes or kidney diseases may have higher hydration needs.
• Activity level — Those who are more physically active than others, have higher hydration needs.
• Temperature ­— The weather can also influence one’s fluid intake.
• Age — Elderly people are said to be more prone to dehydration.

“Most doctors recommend at least one full glass (200 ml) per dose, unless your physician has advised fluid restriction (for example, in kidney or heart failure). Some medicines, such as effervescent tablets, already dissolve in water, so extra fluid isn’t needed at that time for that group of medicines,” cites Dr Tayal.

Hydration Tips To Follow During Medication

It is always advisable to carefully read the medicine label to check any information that is provided with it. You can also ask your healthcare provider when you have any doubt about the right amount of water to drink when taking a particular medicine. On this note, let us take a look at some of the don’ts in hydration, shared by our expert Dr Tayal, when taking pills:

• Avoid milk. It can interfere with absorption of some antibiotics (like tetracyclines).
• Avoid coffee, tea, and energy drinks as they contain caffeine, which can alter how certain drugs work.
• Avoid alcohol. It should always be avoided with medicines — it can be dangerous with painkillers, sedatives, or antibiotics.
• Avoid fruit juices as it can change how some drugs are metabolized by the liver.

Fluids to Take with Medicines

Water is believed to be the best choice when taking your medication. But if you are looking for another option, then opt for non-caffeinated or natural drinks. Dr Tayal recommends these following drinks, apart from water, one can opt for while taking pills:

• Coconut water
• Buttermilk
• Lemon water
• Soups

Risks Of Taking Medicines Without Water

Tablets or capsules that stay in the esophagus are said to release chemicals that irritate the lining of the esophagus. This may cause ulcers, bleeding, perforation, and narrowing (strictures) of the esophagus. Thus, dry swallowing pills is not a safe practice.

“Taking pills dry can cause the tablet to stick in the food pipe, leading to irritation or ulcer or choking if the size of the pill is large. Also, there can be reduced absorption of the drug, making it less effective. There are chances of stomach irritation too, especially with NSAIDs or iron tablets,” concludes Dr Tayal.

The Final Word

Medicine dosage and timing is definitely important, but how much water are we drinking while taking pills is also something we should keep in mind. This is because hydration plays a big role in how our body absorbs and processes medicines. As a general rule, always take medicines with a full glass of water — about 200 to 250 ml.