Although medication is designed to keep you healthy and help you live longer, taking it incorrectly can lead to dangerous side effects. Whether you take medicine for high blood pressure or arthritis, it is very important to follow the instructions carefully. Here are five helpful tips for taking medication safely:
Never Take More Than the Recommended Dosage
In some circumstances, you may be tempted to take more medicine than the recommended dosage. For instance, if your back is in a lot of pain, you may think that doubling your dosage will make the medicine work faster. However, taking more than the suggested amount can lead to an overdose. It is very important to be patient when taking any medication.
Do not Mix Your Medication With Certain Foods
Certain foods can make your medication ineffective, so you should not mix them together. For example, the vitamin K in kale can lower a blood thinner's anti-clotting effects, according to Consumer Reports. It also is not a good idea to mix walnuts with thyroid drugs because these nuts can keep your body from properly absorbing the medication.
Take Your Pills at the Same Time Every day
If you take your medication at the same time each day, it will be much more effective. For example, you could take it while you are eating breakfast or before you go to bed. If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine at the same time every day, you could set an alarm.
Do not Crush Your Pills
If the pills you have to take are big, you may think that crushing them will make them go down easier. However, altering your medication in any way can make your body absorb it faster. Taking your pills with water should make things simpler.
Store Your Medication Correctly
It is also very important to store your medicine correctly. If you keep your pills in the medicine cabinet in your bathroom, for example, the moisture can deteriorate them. It is better to keep your medication in a cool and dry place, like a hallway closet.
If you follow these helpful tips, you should have no problem taking your medication. If you are ever unsure about the medicine you take, do not hesitate to talk to your pharmacist. He or she can explain the dosage instructions more carefully and give you other advice on how to take your medication safely.
For more information, contact Camelback Pharmacy or a similar location.
Share