The average prescription labels in Korea often warn patients to consume medicine 30 minutes after meals to prevent stomachaches and to help the drug maintain a certain concentration in the body.

But other countries are not following this medication method because of the lack of evidence, and domestic hospitals have also complained that it is difficult for patients to take their medication on time with several other drugs.

It is against this backdrop the Seoul National University Hospital_{서울대병원} (SNUH) recently decided to change the standards from “30 minutes after meal” to “right after meal” on their prescription labels, the hospital said Wednesday.

Due to the lack of evidence and complaints on inconvenience, Seoul National University Hospital changed their prescription labels from “30 minutes after meal” to “right after a meal.”

Depending on the type of medicine, there are specially designated uses such as “after meals,” “before meals,” and “before bedtime.” In the case of “after meals,” it is necessary to protect the gastric mucosa and the like when the effect increases when taken together with food.

Conversely, “pre-meal” is a case where the food interferes with the absorption of the medicine or when the therapeutic effects are good for taking meals. Sleeping is recommended when you expect to have a defecation effect in the morning, such as a laxative, or when antihistamines causing drowsiness may interfere with daily life.

The change of prescription label standards stemmed from ongoing debates between pharmacists at the Department of Pharmacy at SNUH.

"This change is the result of internal efforts by the hospital for patient-centered prescriptions,” said Professor Kim Yeon-soo_김연수, chief pharmacy officer at SNUH. "If the drug is taken on time, we expect it to have a positive effect on the treatment effect."

Pharmacist Cho Yoon-sook_조윤숙 agreed, saying, "This change will help simplify the prescription and reduce waiting time in the hospital."

connie@docdocdoc.co.kr

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