If you’re practicing intermittent fasting for weight management and blood sugar control, you probably know that calories from foods and drinks disrupt fasting. But do medications break a fast, too? This article will focus on the effects of different medications on fasting to help you plan your fasting routine more effectively.
![Taking Medications on Intermittent Fasting [Ultimate Guide]](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6323bc871c9ba24b7e474d24/671b5468dbf8296024be4a5c_Taking%20Medications%20on%20Intermittent%20Fasting%20Do%20Medications%20Break%20a%20Fast.webp)
Fasting is taking breaks from consuming calories to improve health, regulate blood sugar levels, lose weight, and so on.
When we speak of consuming calories, we certainly think of calories coming from foods or even drinks. But calories do not just come from foods and drinks. Sometimes medications can also contain calories, or other content that can break a fast.
So, let's take a closer look, and find answers to the question, “Do medications break a fast?”.
Learn More: Can You Chew Gum While Fasting? 10 Best Gums for Fasting
The answer is both yes and no, as the connection between medications and intermittent fasting is complex. Intermittent fasting requires careful consideration when it comes to medication intake [1].
The impact of medications on fasting largely depends on the type of fasting and the medicines you want to take. Some medications need to be taken with food, which could break a fast.
Learn More: 48-Hour Fast: Benefits and Results: Is It Safe?
Some medications can break your fast for various reasons. Knowing which medicines they are and how they can break your fast helps you modify your approach to make the most of your fasting experience.
The following table summarizes the common medications that can break a fast [2]:
Let’s get into the details and learn more about these medications.
Apart from these medications that can break a fast, there are some medicines that don’t disrupt your fasting but can cause side effects when you’re in the fasting state.
Learn More: The 96-Hour Fast Benefits and Results: Is It Safe?
While some medications don't break a fast, they can cause discomfort or pose risks if taken while fasting. The following table shows some common medications that don’t break a fast but can cause side effects if taken on fasting [6]:
Diabetic individuals need to be careful with medications like insulin or oral hypoglycemics. Fasting can affect blood sugar levels, and taking these medications without eating food may lead to dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This can show itself with symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and even serious issues like seizures and loss of consciousness. It’s essential to adjust your intermittent fasting schedule and consult with healthcare professionals if you're on diabetes medications [7].
These medications, including beta-blockers or diuretics, are often taken to manage high blood pressure. Taking these medications during a fast might lead to adverse effects, such as a drop in blood pressure and dizziness [8].
Medications like Ibuprofen and Aspirin, common for pain relief, are best taken with food to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort and potential damage to the stomach lining [9].
While iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach, these supplements can cause stomach cramps, nausea, and other digestive issues. Taking them with a small amount of food is often recommended to mitigate these side effects [10].
Certain psychiatric medications like Fluoxetine should be taken with food to reduce side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort [11].
Food intake is necessary for the proper absorption of these medications and for minimizing their side effects [12].
Used for treating conditions like asthma and autoimmune diseases, Corticosteroids can upset the stomach lining if taken without food, potentially leading to internal bleeding [13].
Some medications for heart-related conditions, including blood thinners like Warfarin, should be consumed with a certain diet, i.e., a small change in the diet (avoiding food) can alter the effect of the drug or cause adverse effects. Such medications often require food intake when fasting, and you need to monitor your body's situation and changes in metabolism [14]. Of course, some heart medications are safe while fasting, which we’ll discuss below.
As you've seen, certain medications aren't safe to take during fasting. However, you can freely take some other medicines during intermittent fasting, as they won’t disrupt fasting or pose significant risks.
Learn More: How To Flush Oxalates From the Body? What is Oxalate Dumping?
Certain medications are considered safe to take during the fasting window as they are unlikely to break your fast or cause significant discomfort. Here's a table including medications that you can take while fasting [15]:
These medications are used for treating hypothyroidism, are usually taken on an empty stomach, so are safe during fasting. Avoid eating or drinking immediately after taking them [16].
Digoxin, used for treating various heart conditions, can be taken with or without food. You need to take such medications on time as prescribed by your physician [17].
Many antihistamines do not contain calories and are considered safe to take during fasting. However, it's important to check the specific medication as formulas and effects might differ [18].
This non-essential amino acid, beneficial for brain function and stress regulation, can be taken on an empty stomach. It is advisable to avoid food about 30 minutes after taking L-tyrosine [19].
These vitamins are flushed out by the body and are usually okay to be taken on an empty stomach. They're quickly metabolized by the body [20] and won’t affect your fasting state.
Learn More: How to Get Vitamin C on a Carnivore Diet?
Another group of medicines commonly used, like vitamins, is supplements. Can we take them during fasting?
You can generally take supplements during fasting, but we need to know the different types of supplements and how they affect fasting [21]:
Another group of medications that we may commonly use in our everyday lives is painkillers. Can we take them while we're fasting?
Learn More: [Expert Guide] 20-Hour Fast Results, Side Effects, and How to
Painkillers are among the most common medications, and many of them do not break a fast.
How about antibiotics? We usually need to take them several times a day. Will they break intermittent fasting?
Learn More: The Best Multivitamin on Carnivore Diet
Antibiotics are generally okay to be consumed while fasting, but there are two important factors to keep in mind if you plan to take them [25]:
Managing your medication while practicing intermittent fasting can be tricky, especially when it comes to weight loss drugs. Can you use them effectively with your fasting plan, or are there complications you need to be aware of?
Weight loss medications work in diverse ways, from suppressing appetite to altering how your body processes calories. However, their effects can vary when taken during fasting.
Factors like an empty stomach and altered metabolic processes may influence the efficacy of weight loss medications [26].
Also, fasting can affect the absorption and distribution of weight loss medications in your body. Understanding these shifts is crucial to ensure you get the desired results from your medication while maintaining your fasting goals [27].
The following weight loss medications won’t break a fast.
These drugs help with appetite control and weight loss.
Now, let's take a quick look at the other side of the equation: how can fasting affect your medications?
Learn More: The Mounjaro Diet: Side Effects, Meal Plan, and Food List
Fasting can influence how your body absorbs and processes medications. This interaction is important as it can affect the therapeutic outcomes of the medications you take. Here are the key factors to consider [31]:
So, let’s finish by focusing on tips for taking medicines during intermittent fasting.
Learn More: Can I Lose Weight on a Carnivore Diet? How Much? How Fast?
Taking medications during fasting requires careful consideration. The following tips can help you with this.
All in all, most medications, such as antibiotics and Paracetamol, won't usually break a fast because they don't have calories or harmful content that can disrupt fasting.
However, some drugs, like NSAIDs, require a time gap between taking them and eating to reduce possible side effects.
Please consult your healthcare professional before trying intermittent fasting if you are on certain medications to ensure you can fast without negative health impacts.
