there are different reasons for this: · the medication is absorbed into the body better if there is food in the stomach (e.g., calcium, nelfinavir, sertraline) · the medication can cause stomach upset, and food can help prevent this (e.g., dexamethasone, diclofenac, carbamazepine) · the medication is needed to help the body process the meal (e.g., pancreatic enzymes, lactase)   more »