Question
An 18-month-old child often makes parents’ heads spin when they have to administer medication during illnesses. Recently, it was discovered that adding a little milk to the medication makes the baby more willing to take it. Is this approach feasible? What concerns should be addressed?
Answer
After milk enters the stomach, it forms a layer on the gastric mucosa. Similarly, when medication is mixed with milk, a film also forms on the surface of the medication. These two layers can block the release of the medication and absorption by the gastric mucosa. By the time these layers are broken down, the optimal absorption time for the medication may have passed, significantly reducing its effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended to leave some time between taking medication and milk to ensure the efficacy of the medication.