What is the rationale for administering medication after meals?

Administering medication after meals is often done to decrease the risk of side effects. Many medications, particularly those that can irritate the gastrointestinal tract or lead to nausea, are better tolerated when taken with food. Ingestion of food can help buffer the stomach lining and reduce direct irritation from the medication itself. Furthermore, certain medications may have side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, and consuming food can mitigate these effects, leading to improved patient comfort and adherence to the medication regimen.

In this context, while improving absorption is an important factor in medication administration for some drugs, it is not universally applicable to all medications and can depend on the specific drug formulation and its properties. Patient preferences and compliance are also important considerations but more directly relate to the overall acceptability and understanding of the medication regimen rather than the immediate rationale for timing related to meals.