Eating often triggers symptoms in quite a few people with IBS.The reason for taking it prior to meals is so the medication is in place prior to doing something that upsets the IBS. Kinda like taking an antihistamine before going over to a house with cats if your allergic to cats.The medication will be more effective if you let it get fully in place before you eat, but if you forget you could take it at any time even once you start eating. It may not be as effective, but it won't hurt you. You can even take it after the attack hits, but again it won't be as effective as when you take it earlier and give it enough time to be in the body and working before you eat.K.------------------I have no financial, academic, or any other stake in any commercial product mentioned by me.And from the as if IBS isn't enough of a worry file...from New Scientist's Feedback column: photographed on the door of a ladies' loo in the Sequoia National Park in California by reader Liz Masterman: "Please keep door closed to discourage bears from entering."