It is important to know that taking medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, is not only beneficial but also has some risks. Since the advantages and advantages of a product usually clearly outweigh the risks and disadvantages, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves it and acknowledges that it is safe enough to use. But before any use of any drug, you should think carefully about what are the benefits and what are the risks in order to make the best decision.
We have collected several tips for you to help you manage your medication basket and control its intake:
Always talk to the doctor or pharmacist: you should keep a different list of all the medicines that you take, even if you are taking them on a low frequency, with or without a prescription, and including nutritional supplements such as vitamins and herbs. Any physician treating this list and any type of allergy should be informed.
Learn about medicines: Learn the names of medicines, what they look like, how they should be stored, what is the period of treatment, when and how to take them, and what to do if you forget to take the medicine at the specified time.
It is important to know the effect of the intended medicine and what it should affect, what results are expected after taking it, what side effects are possible, and also if periodic checks or monitoring tests are necessary. These things also apply to over-the-counter or herbal medicines.
Read the information leaflet enclosed with the medicine and confirm the instructions for use. Go back and check if you are taking the correct medicine intended for the purpose for which you are taking it. Medicines must be kept in the package or in the original package with the original information leaflet. Also, two different medicines should be avoided in the same package or the same package. Read the directions for use on the label and those given by the doctor or pharmacist, and make sure to follow them carefully.
If you want to stop taking a medicine or take it in a different way, you must consult your doctor or pharmacist first. In all cases, you should not stop taking the medicine without consulting them.
Always check the expiry date on the package. It is forbidden to take a medicine that has expired, but must be discarded. If you have any medicine left after the treatment ends - it must be thrown away.
Drug interactions: You should inquire whether the medicine you are taking has an effect on other medicines or a food additive, including vitamins or medicinal herbs, and whether there are types of food or drinks that you should refrain from consuming when taking medicines. It is desirable to purchase the drug from the same pharmacy on a regular basis, in order to ensure follow-up and documentation of the date of drug purchase.
Follow-up and documentation for a period of time: You should inquire of the attending physician about the appropriate methods to reduce the possible side effects that may arise from taking the medicine. Sometimes it is possible, for example, to eat before taking certain medicines in order to relieve the feeling of upset in the stomach.
It is important to pay attention to the general feeling: any change in the general feeling must be monitored and documented, and the attending physician or pharmacist should be informed. It is important to inquire in advance about the manner of behavior when a side effect is suspected, and when it is desirable to inform the treating doctor about it. In addition, attention should be paid to when we feel an improvement after taking drug therapy and when to see the attending physician for monitoring.
