Just like external therapy the time of intake of medicine also equally important. The efficacies of the internal medicines vary according to the time of intake. The time of administration of medicine is decided depend on the disease. The medicine administered in proper time will be more effective.  Generally the efficacy of the medicine taken in the morning in empty stomach will be more. Therefore medicine can be given in empty stomach in the morning when the patient and the disease both are strong.
Generally there are two way of administration of medicine in the morning. In the first one skip morning food and only medicine is taken. In the second one medicine is given in small dose in the morning in empty stomach  and after the digestion of the medicine food is taken. In treatment like snehapana (administration of ghee) and rasayana (rejuvenation) medicine is administered in the first way. Decotion is administered in the second way. Both are more effective than any other methods.
But if the patient is weak he will not be able to withstand the potency of the medicine and dietary regimens. In such cases medicines can be administered in some other way also. There medicine is administered in empty stomach before evening food. It should be minimum one hour before food. It is better to lay down on left side after the medication and after food.
Ayurveda has suggested some other timings also due to the peculiarity of some diseases. Such eleven patterns or timings of dosing of medicine are mentioned. These are
1. ABHAKTHAM– Here the medicine is given alone in empty stomach indicated in patients with more strength. Medicine for purgation is given in this manner.
2. PRAKBHAKTHAM- Here the medicine is given just before the food. This is indicated in diseases affecting lower part of the body below waist, excretory system, reproductive system, strengthening of lower part and for obese patients to reduce weight.
3. MADHYABHAKTHAM- Here the medicine is given in the middle of the food. Half of the food is taken, then medicine and then remaining food is taken. This is indicated in diseases affecting the digestive system and diseases due to Pitha vitiation.
4. ADHOBHAKTHAM- Here the medicine is given after the food. It is indicated in diseases due to diseases of the circulatory system and diseases of loco motor system. In circulatory disorders it is given after morning food and in loco motor disorders, medicine is given after evening food. Also indicated in diseases effecting upper part of the body, diseases due to vitiation of kapha and for emaciated patients to gain weight. Ayurvedic mineral and metallic preparation should be administered only after the food.
5. SABHAKTHAM- Here the medicine is given processed or mixed with the food. It is indicated in children, tender personality, who does not like medicines, anorexia, disease spread all over the body.
6. ANTHARABHAKTHAM- Here the medicine is given afternoon after the digestion of morning food and again food is given in the evening after the digestion of medicine. This is indicated in patients with good digestive power and diseases of circulatory system.
7. SAMUDGAM- Here the medicine is given just before and after the food intake. This is indicated in hiccough, Parkinsonism, convulsions. Powdered and Linctus (Choorna and leham) digestive medicines are given in this manner.
8. MUHURMUHU - Here the medicine is given frequently in an interval of half an hour to 2 hours. This is indicated in hiccough, cough, bronchial asthma (diseases of the respiratory system) Polydipsia, vomiting, intoxication, Gastro-enteritis, Acute bleeding conditions, Fainting and Unconsciousness.
9. SAGRASAM- Here the medicine is given along with each bolus of food. This is indicated in all neurological disorders .Medicines like choorna (powder) Lehyam (linctus preparation) Vatakam (pills and granules) which are digestive and medicines which are Aphrodisiac can also be given in this manner.
10. GRASANTHARAM- Here the medicine is given in between bolus of food. This is indicated in heart diseases.
11. NISI­- Here the medicine is administered at night after food before sleep. This is indicated in all diseases above the neck, laxatives and medicines that are aphrodisiac.
Medicines for eye application should be done before 8’o clock in the morning and after 4’o clock in the evening.