Medicine reference
A plain-language page for 15 common medicines: what each is for, whether to take it with food, the alcohol note and rough timing — never a substitute for the leaflet or a pharmacist.
General information only, not medical advice, and no substitute for the leaflet in the box. It does not list doses. For advice about your own situation — other medicines, pregnancy, or a health condition — ask a pharmacist or doctor.
How to read these pages
Each page names the medicine and its generic (active) ingredient, says what it is generally used for, and covers the three questions people most often have: do I take it with food, can I drink alcohol, and when in the day. These are the widely accepted general points — the kind printed on a patient information leaflet — not personal instructions. Your own pack always wins, and a pharmacist can answer anything it does not.
Common medicines
Paracetamol
Mild to moderate pain such as headache, toothache and muscle aches, and lowering a fever.
Ibuprofen
Pain, inflammation and fever — for example period pain, sprains, back pain and dental pain.
Aspirin
Pain and fever at normal doses; a low daily dose is used, only on medical advice, to reduce clotting risk.
Naproxen
Pain and inflammation, including muscle and joint pain and period pain; it is longer-acting than ibuprofen.
Omeprazole
Heartburn, acid reflux and stomach or gut ulcers.
Loratadine
Hay fever and other allergies, and itchy hives.
Cetirizine
Hay fever, allergies and hives.
Metformin
Type 2 diabetes, by helping the body respond to insulin and lowering blood sugar.
Amoxicillin
Bacterial infections such as some chest, ear, throat and dental infections.
Famotidine
Heartburn and acid reflux.
Simvastatin
High cholesterol, to lower long-term risk to the heart and blood vessels.
Levothyroxine
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Salbutamol
Quick relief of asthma symptoms such as wheeze, coughing and breathlessness by relaxing the airways.
Loperamide
Short-term diarrhoea, by slowing the gut.
Metronidazole
Certain bacterial and parasitic infections, including some dental and gut infections.
Source: General medicine information paraphrased from standard patient-information-leaflet guidance. Not the manufacturer's leaflet; always read the leaflet in your pack. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
Should I take painkillers with food?
Anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin are gentler on the stomach when taken with or after food. Paracetamol can be taken with or without food. Always follow the pack and never exceed the daily maximum.
Which medicines really do not mix with alcohol?
The best-known one is metronidazole, an antibiotic: alcohol during and just after the course can cause a strong, unpleasant reaction. In general, alcohol also adds to stomach-bleeding risk with anti-inflammatory painkillers and to drowsiness with some antihistamines.
Why take some tablets before food and others with it?
Acid-reducing medicines such as omeprazole work best taken before a meal, while stomach-sensitive ones are taken with food. Levothyroxine is taken on an empty stomach because food and minerals reduce how much is absorbed.
Is this medical advice?
No. These pages are general information to help you understand a medicine. For anything about your own dose, other medicines, pregnancy or a health condition, ask a pharmacist or doctor — that advice is free at any pharmacy.
Track how you actually feel
TempoLife logs symptoms, food and sleep over time, so you and your doctor can see the pattern.