Information You Should
Know Before Using Medications

Information You Should Know Before Using Medications

There is information you should tell your doctor when a situation arises that medication is being prescribed for you; you also need to know how to store medicine, how to properly use the medicine especially how to dispense it, and also how to travel with it.

Talking to your doctor when a prescription is being written should include letting the doctor know about any unusual reaction you have had to any medication in the past, or any food, or other substances like dyes.

Let your doctor know if you are on a low-salt or low-sugar, or any other diet. Some medicines contain more than the active ingredient needed to treat the condition or disease, they contain liquids such as alcohol, which may be important to know about when you are on special diets.

Let a doctor know if you are pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan on becoming pregnant. Some medicines can cause birth defects or are unsafe to take during pregnancy or while nursing the baby.

Always let the doctor know about any supplements that you are taking including vitamins, minerals, herbals, or dietary supplements. It is also wise to tell the doctor about any over-the-counter medicines that you are currently taking such as pain relievers, laxatives, antacids or other nonprescription medicines.

Let your doctor know if you are using alcohol, tobacco or other recreational drugs as many of these can have adverse affects on prescription medicines.

Lastly, let your doctor know about any other medical condition or disease that you have or are being treated for because some prescription medicines may have an affect on other conditions or diseases.

Alcohol And Medicine The first thing we notice is that we are fatigued, and may have a mild sore throat. We reach for a pain reliever for the sore throat such as Tylenol, Tempra or Panadol. We may also chose instead to use a medication known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Advil, ibuprofen, Menadol, or Motrin. Drugs and Medicine

 

Using your medicine:

Your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to properly use the medicine. Make sure you understand what the correct dosage is and when to take it.

Find out if you can take the medicine with food, or if it should be taken on an empty stomach. Always ask if the new medicine can be taken at the same time as other medicines or supplements that you are currently taking. Make sure you know how to store the medicine.

Storing your medicine:

All medicines should be kept out of the reach of children and pets. The label should state how to store the medicine. Always keep medicines in original containers and with sealed caps.

Buy Drugs It is important to know what the medication is called, and for how long you should you be taking it. You should be aware of the best time to take the medication (before bedtime, while eating, or should you not take it before, during or after eating? It is wise to know what the generic name for your medication is so that when you purchase it at a pharmacy, you can verify that it is available in generic form, which should save you money. Double check when it is filled to be sure that what you are getting is the proper generic drug. Drugs and Medicine

Do not store medicines where they may become wet such as near the bathroom or kitchen sink. Moisture and heat can cause certain medicines to break down so be careful not to store medicine near heat sources.

Remove the cotton from medicine bottles after opening. Never freeze medicines. Medicines should not be kept in vehicles, as the temperature can become extreme depending on the outside temperatures.

Never keep medicines after the user is done with them, or after they have expired. Discard all medicines out of the reach of children.

Information you need to know to stay safe:

Oral medications should be taken with a full glass of water

Long-acting medicines should be taken in whole doses and not crushed, chewed or broken unless the doctor or pharmacist as approved of doing so.

Liquid medicines should always be measured in appropriate measuring spoons or other devices so that the dose can be accurate, especially for children.

If the medicine comes in a form that you are unable to use such as not being able to swallow pills or capsules ask the doctor or pharmacist if the medicine is available in a form that you can use, such as liquid form.

If you have children, watch children in your home or have grandchildren, make sure you ask for child-resistant caps for all medications.