Appearing on BBC Morning Live Dr Kasim Ahmed said it can be 'really, really dangerous' for people failing to take the advice08:12, 27 May 2026A BBC doctor has given a warning to anyone taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, metformin and lithium - and said that when you take it, it is vital. Appearing on BBC Morning Live Dr Kasim Ahmed explained that some medications can cause serious stomach problems if not taken correctly‌He said that drugs such as ibuprofen, neproxin, metformin and letharoxine are some of the worst for the issue - and emphasised that if the instructions and pharmacist say it needs to be taken with food, then people really need to take heed.‌Host Gethin Jones asked: “What are the medications that shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach then to start with?” Dr Ahmend said: “So these are big ones that you need to make sure you’ve had something to eat beforehand. The biggest ones are things like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. So those are things like ibuprofen, naproxen, which are notorious for causing issues with gastric acid, potentially causing stomach ulcers, which can be really, really dangerous.‌“On top of that things like steroids which again increased acid production in the stomach. Aspirin works in a similar way.”READ MORE: Prof Tim Spector's warning for anyone who ate a burger over the bank holidayREAD MORE: Pharmacist warning for Brits on sertraline, fluoxetine, amitriptylineThe doctor also named other common drugs: “Some of the NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen. So that should be on a full stomach as well. So all of those things really want to have something to eat at the same time. And the other thing is making sure your diabetic medications. So, for two reasons, with diabetic medications, some of them drop your blood sugar.‌“So actually you want to have some blood sugar, something there, so you’re absorbing some sugar. But some of them like metformin, which is probably the most common medication for diabetes, can cause gastrointestinal side effects. So it can cause nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting if it’s taken on an empty stomach. So you want to make sure you’ve had something to eat at the same time.”However, there are also some medications which need to be taken on an empty stomach, and failing to do so means the body can’t absorb them. Dr Ahmed said: “These are really important because the number of people I see on huge whacking doses of some of these medications because they’re taking them with food. So, that they’re not being absorbed properly is really apparent.Article continues below“So, leothyroxine, I think, is the big one. So, thyroid medication, if you’ve got an autoimmune thyroid condition, you have levothyroxine as a thyroid replacement, and that needs to be taken on an empty stomach. So, the reason for that is it’s absorbed really quickly in the stomach but can get mixed up in food quite quickly and then pass through the stomach and not be absorbed.”READ MORE: Dr Xand issues alert for ‘millions’ taking Omeprazole after new studyRamadan adviceIn terms of religious events such as Ramadan and Lent, where people might fast, he said people should snack on the right things, such as nuts, salads and smaller meals. He said: ” Going back to Ramadan, having a think about when you’re taking your medications for that’s really important. So, if it’s an empty stomach medication, take it first thing with the pre-dawn meal or on a full stomach if you can take something either after the pre-dawn meal or after you’ve broken your fast in the evening. But the big thing here is really having a chat to your to your medical professionals.”