Food interactions affecting the absorption of analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents

Food interactions affect the absorption of most analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. Of the 18 compounds that have been examined, only prednisone and phenazone were unaffected by food. The absorption of indomethacin and phenacetin was decreased, while the absorption of diftalone and proquazone was increased. The remaining drug entities exhibited delayed absorption. The major factor influencing delayed or reduced absorption appears to be delayed stomach-emptying in the presence of food. However, delayed stomach-emptying may also promote absorption of diftalone and proquazone by permitting greater dissolution of these drugs before they pass into the small intestine. Reduced local gastrointestinal irritation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents in the presence of food, together with reduced fluctuation in circulating drug levels, probably outweighs any disadvantage of impaired absorption.