Why are certain medications administered with food?

Administering certain medications with food is primarily done to enhance their absorption or to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Many medications require the presence of food in the stomach to be absorbed effectively into the bloodstream. This helps to ensure that the medication reaches its intended target in the body more efficiently.

In addition to aiding absorption, taking medication with food can also help reduce gastrointestinal irritation and discomfort that some medications might cause when taken on an empty stomach. For instance, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), when taken with food, can decrease the risk of stomach upset or ulcers.

While the other options present valid points, they do not specifically address the direct relationship between food and the absorption or gastrointestinal tolerance of medications, which is the core reason for this practice.