A brief overview of physiology (body functions): When you eat, the food is chewed and enters the stomach – the lower oesophageal sphincter closes after a mouthful, hydrochloric acid is secreted, and the stomach churns the chewed food into a paste which is then emptied in small portions into the small intestine. Nothing is absorbed in the stomach – neither nutrients nor medicines.
It is therefore advantageous to take the medicine before eating – it does not have to be a specific time beforehand – but the tablet is more likely to reach the small intestine more quickly if taken with a little liquid.
A brief note on pharmacology: L-dopa dissolves and is absorbed slightly better/faster with a slightly acidic drink, but the difference is minor. The type of tablet taken is more important – tablets labelled ‘Quick’ are absorbed most rapidly, whilst sustained-release tablets are designed to remain in the small intestine for longer. Combination tablets containing entacapone act as sustained-release tablets.
Håkan Widner