18 Common Mistakes You Make While Taking Medicines

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You must have faced some health issues at some point or the other and have taken medications for it.
You have to take medications as recommended by physicians to regain your health. But how to take medicines?

Medicines are meant to relieve us from symptoms of a particular disease. However, you can miss the benefits of a particular medicine if some simple tips are not followed.

Drugs are to be handled with care and only taken when recommended by your physician. You should never do self-medication. When you bring medicines to your home, take them properly as recommended by the doctor. You should never feel embarrassed to ask your doctor anything regarding the medicines.

Today, Boldsky shares with you some simple but important tips on how to take medicines. Take a look.

Missing a dose of a medicine

It is very important to follow the regime prescribed by the doctor. Missing a dose means you can't enjoy the benefits of your whole dosage. So make it a point not to miss any dose. You can set a reminder on your phone. Keep your medicines handy but out of children's reach.

Taking antacid with your prescribed medications

Always avoid antacids with your other medicines. You can have your antacid after an hour of taking your medication or before that. Antacids can decrease the effect of many medicines.

Taking multiple medicines

Whenever a doctor prescribes you a particular medication, check with him whether it is safe to take it with your other medications that you are already having. Sometimes, a medicine can decrease or increase the effect of other medicine. This is called interaction and can sometime be dangerous.

Time of taking medicines

Time of medication is very important. Make sure that you have the medicine at the same time as taken by you yesterday. For example, if you take the medicine in the morning, don't take it in evening the next day. Timing and dosing of medication is very important to enjoy its full benefits.

Milk

How to take medicines? Milk has calcium and because of this, it can interact with any particular medication prescribed by your doctor. This can make your medicine ineffective. Check with your doctor whether you can have your medicine with milk.

Smoking

If you are a chain smoker, then you can never benefit from your medication. Smoking has much impact on your medicines and decreases its effects. Stop smoking especially when you are following a drug regime.

Food

When to take medicine after food? Your doctor can guide you whether it's to be taken with food or not. However, a general rule is to take medicines 20 minutes after or before taking food. However, some exceptions are there depending on the drug.

Taking medicines on an empty stomach

When to take medicine after food? Or, should the medicine be taken before eating food? Some drugs such as thyroid hormones are to be taken early morning and on an empty stomach. You can have your breakfast after 1 hour of taking the medicine.

Allergy

Make sure that you are not allergic to any particular medicine. Check whether you have a family history of drug allergies. Inform your doctor about this. He will then give you a test dose first or change your medicines. Never do self-medication.

Tea with your medicines

Never have your medicines with tea or coffee. They can decrease the effects of many drugs. Have your tea or coffee before or after taking medicine.

Alcohol

Consuming alcohol when on medication can be life threatening. Some medicines should never be taken when you are drunk or planning to take alcohol. They can interact with alcohol and cause a life-threatening reaction.

Diabetic patients

If you are a diabetic and taking your medicines, never skip your meals. It is important that you ask your doctor the timings of your meals and medications.

Brand name

If you are taking a particular brand of a drug for two or more years, then you must follow the same brand. Your body is adjusted to that particular brand and changing it can not prove beneficial always.

Driving after taking some drugs

Some drugs for treating vomiting, anxiety, skin allergies and common cold can have sedative effects. Avoid driving after consuming such drugs.

Soft drinks and juices

Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you can take your medications with juices as some of it may decrease the effects of many drugs. It's also better not to have soft drinks while taking medicines.

Other diseases

Some drugs prescribed by a doctor for a particular disease can harm your other medical conditions. This is called contraindication. Always give a full medical history to your doctor. Some medicines are not good for other diseases prevailing in your body.

Pregnancy

You can't take all the drugs while pregnant as this can be harmful for your unborn baby. Ask your doctor for those medications that will be safe for you and your baby.

Nursing mothers

Mothers that are feeding breastmilk to their babies can't take all the medicines. The medicines can pass through the mother's milk into the baby and cause harmful effects. Ask your doctor for safe medications.