Which Medications Should Not Be Taken with Hot Water
When taking medicine, it's inevitable to use water. What kind of water and how much should be used to scientifically take the medication? Are you aware that improper water intake can also affect the drug's efficacy.
Using boiled water to take medication is common knowledge, but some people prefer to take their medicine with hot water at 50-60°C or higher. Little do they know that some medications undergo physical or chemical reactions when exposed to heat, which in turn affects their therapeutic effect. The following six categories of drugs should not be taken with hot water.
I. Digestive Aids.
Such as pepsin mixture, trypsin, multienzyme tablets, and yeast tablets, all of which contain digestive enzymes. Enzymes are active proteins that will coagulate and denature when heated. "The Clinical Medication Guide of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China" states: "Pepsin is unstable to heat and becomes ineffective at temperatures above 70°C".
II. Vitamins.
For example, vitamin C is unstable and can be reduced and destroyed by heat, thereby losing its efficacy.
III. Cough Syrups.
Such as Jizhi Syrup, Compound Glycyrrhiza Mixture, and honeyed Chuanbei Loquat Paste, these are types of medications where the cough and anti-inflammatory components are dissolved in syrup or extracts. After taking the medication, the syrup or extract forms a protective film over the surface of the inflamed pharyngeal mucosa, which helps to quickly control coughing and relieve symptoms. If taken with hot water, it is more likely to reduce the viscosity of the syrup, affecting the efficacy of the protective film.
IV. Live Vaccines.
Such as the polio sugar pill, which contains live attenuated poliovirus. It should be taken with cool water; otherwise, the vaccine will be inactivated and cannot provide immunity or prevent infectious diseases.
V. Medications Containing Active Bacteria.
Lactasin contains active Lactobacillus, Zhengchangsheng contains Bacillus licheniformis, Mamaiai contains Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis, and Shengyuan (children's probiotic powder) contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. In addition, medications like yeast tablets and Lizhunchangle also contain active bacteria used for disease prevention and treatment. These active bacteria will be destroyed by heat.
VI. Traditional Chinese Patent Medicines for Clearing Heat.
Traditional Chinese medicine holds that for conditions like fever or "internal heat," one should use heat-clearing agents, and in such cases, it is not advisable to take them with hot water. Taking them with cool water can enhance the effectiveness of the heat-clearing medicine.