Taking medication after a meal generally means taking the medication within 15-30 minutes after eating. The efficacy of many medications is closely related to the time of taking medication and should be taken at the appropriate time. Clinically, the time to take medication generally includes taking medication on an empty stomach, taking medication before meals, taking medication during meals, taking medication after meals, taking medication before bedtime and taking medication in the morning. Taking medication on an empty stomach generally refers to 1 hour before eating, or 2 hours after eating; taking medication before meal refers to 15-30 minutes before meal; taking medication during meal refers to taking medication at the same time as eating; taking medication in the morning mainly refers to taking medication after waking up in the morning; taking medication before bed mainly refers to taking medication 15-30 minutes before going to bed. Among them, taking drugs after meals can reduce the stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chemotherapy drugs, etc., are advocated to be taken after meals. Some drugs in the digestive system are also recommended to be taken after meals, such as trimebutine maleate, etc., which can promote the efficacy of the drug after meals. The timing of medication is mainly related to the diurnal fluctuations of human physiological functions, the full utilization of the drug effect, and the reduction of side effects, etc. You should listen to your doctor’s advice when taking medication and take it on time.