Medication guidelines
There is no special guideline for using drugs. You can talk to your doctor to help create a suitable treatment plan for you. Here are some general instructions to follow when taking your drug.
- Do not divide pills or separate capsules unless your doctor tells you to.
- Drink six to 10 glasses of water every day
- Physical exercises or warm baths can help ease digestion and absorption of drugs.
- Learn the names of your drugs and how they function. Learn the brand and generics names, side effects and dosages. Ensure you have a list of your drugs and the dosages with you at all times.
- Take your drugs as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Continue using your drugs until your doctor tells you to stop. do not stop using medications, even if you feel better. The disease may worsen if you stop taking your drugs suddenly.
- Do not increase the dose of your medicine.
- Create a schedule for taking your drugs. Use your medications at the same time every day. You can get a pillbox and mark the days of the week. Fill the box at the beginning of the week to help you remember easily.
- You don’t have to panic if you skip a dose at the normal time. You can take it as soon as you remember. However, if the next dose isn’t far away, you can skip the missed dose, and go back to your normal medication routine. An alarm clock can help you stick to a schedule.
- Do not take expired drugs.
- Store drugs in a cool and dry area away from moisture. Your doctor may tell you to put some drugs in the refrigerator for preservation.
- Always keep drugs away from children.
- Talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of your drug. It is important to call your healthcare provider if you notice any abnormal side effects after using your medication.
- Do not share your drugs with other patients.
- Take your drugs with you when travelling.
- Take extra drugs with you when travelling in case something urgent comes up.
- Fill your prescriptions before your drugs finish.
- Talk to your doctor about any financial problems.
- Talk to your doctor about any drug you are taking to avoid interactions
- Always read the labels meticulously
- Know your food and drug allergies.
- Stick to one pharmacy