Before you take certain drugs, remember to always read and follow the correct way of taking medication according to the instructions for use. This is important to prevent interference with the way the drug works, as well as to ensure that treatment can provide effective results.
Every drug, both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, has a different way of working, uses, and side effects. Therefore, you are advised to always pay attention to the dose, time, and method of use according to the doctor's recommendations or the instructions on the drug packaging label.
If the medicine is not used according to the instructions, this risks making the disease or complaint that you feel does not go away or even gets worse. How to take medication that is not appropriate is also at risk of causing side effects and drug interactions that have the potential to endanger lives.
Therefore, it is important to understand how to take the right medicine so that the medicine can work optimally.
How to Take the Right Medicine
In order for drugs to work effectively and safely, follow these guidelines for how to take medication properly and correctly:
1. Consumption according to the recommended dose
Some people may think that doubling the dose of the drug can speed up the healing of the disease, but this assumption is not true. Instead of making you recover faster, taking excessive doses of the drug can cause organ damage to an overdose.
You also should not reduce the dose of the drug without a doctor's advice because reducing the dose of the drug can make the drug work ineffectively. Therefore, take the drug according to the dosage prescribed by the doctor or according to the instructions for using the drug.
2. Use according to the recommended method
The drugs taken consist of various preparations, ranging from tablets, capsules, powders, syrups, and drops (oral drops).
For tablets or capsules, avoid splitting, crushing, or chewing the medicine before swallowing it, unless the medicine is being taken as a chewable medicine.
For liquid medicine, you can use a special measuring spoon that is provided in the package to measure the dose of the drug. If not available, you can use a teaspoon as a measure. For oral drops, you can use a special pipette that is available in the medicine package.
3. Take the medicine according to the time specified
Drugs are generally given with several types of rules of use, for example 3 times a day, with the right time division. This means that the drug is taken every 8 hours in 1 day.
For example, if the first dose is taken at 7 am, the next dose is taken at 3 pm and the last dose is at 11 pm. Take the medicine at the same time every day.
If you forget to take your medicine, it is recommended that you do it immediately if the break with the next drug consumption schedule is not too close. But if the gap is near, ignore the dose and take the medicine at the next schedule to make up for the missed dose.
In addition, there are several types of drugs that are recommended to be taken before, after, or at the same time as meals. Be sure to follow the instructions for using the drug so that the drug can work effectively.
4. Pay attention to the food and drinks consumed along with the drug
Some types of drugs can cause drug interactions if taken together with certain foods or drinks. In addition, drug interactions can also occur if the drug is taken together with other types of drugs or certain supplements.
For example, taking iron supplements with milk can decrease the body's absorption of iron. Another example is that taking ACE inhibitors at the same time or at the same time as consuming foods high in potassium, such as bananas, can reduce the effectiveness of these drugs.
Therefore, the drug should be taken together with a glass of water so that the risk of drug interactions can be reduced. When you get a prescription for medicine, you are also advised to ask the doctor who prescribes drugs related to what drinks or foods you need to avoid when taking these drugs.
Tips so you don't forget to take your medicine
The density of busyness sometimes makes a person forget to take his medicine regularly. nowSo that this doesn't happen to you, here are simple tips you can do so you don't forget to take your medicine:
- Use a reminder or set an alarm on WL.
- Write reminders and medication schedule on notes, then stick it in the medicine box or on your desk.
- Take the drug at the same time as daily activities, such as after breakfast, after brushing your teeth, or before going to bed.
- Ask your partner, family, co-workers, or relatives to remind you to take your medicine when it's time.
It is important to finish the medicine that has been prescribed by your doctor and do not stop taking it without your doctor's permission, even if you feel better. This is done to prevent your symptoms from reappearing.
You also need to be careful when giving medicine to babies and children. To be safer, you should always consult a doctor first when you want to give medicine to babies or children. This is important to prevent the occurrence of harmful side effects
If you are still confused about how to take a good medicine or do not understand the rules for the medicine you are taking, do not hesitate to consult a doctor or pharmacist, yes.