Health @ TuxfordMedicines can be confusing. We are told that they can cure an illness or improve our symptoms, but that they can be dangerous if taken incorrectly. The key to dealing with medicines effectively is to understand them.
Checking medicines
When you pick up prescribed medicines always check the strength of the medicine – some formulations, especially liquid medicines, come in different strengths. Remember, if you have any questions, talk to our dispensers or your community pharmacist.
Taking medicines safely
Use the medicines as directed on the label. Your medicine should have instructions for taking it either on a label or on the box or bottle. Always follow these instructions and never give more than the recommended dose. Sharing medicines can be dangerous. When they are prescribed, the doctor takes into account the patient’s symptoms and general health.
Even though a friend or relative may have the same symptoms, they may have other factors that make the medicine unsuitable or even dangerous. Medicines should only be taken by the person for whom they were prescribed.
Sometime medicines are affected by the amount of food in your stomach. If your medicine is affected you should have been told whether to take the medicine with or after food or on an empty stomach. This is important because the amount of food in the stomach affects how well the medicine is absorbed. Some medicines can irritate the stomach lining so it is best to take them with or after food to reduce the risk of irritation.
Most tablets or capsules are best taken with a glass of water, preferably while sitting or standing. Some medicines interact with certain foods or drinks. For instance, some medicines should not be taken with milk as this can reduce how well they are absorbed. Other medicines, for instance, should not be taken with grapefruit juice. If you are unsure, please ask our dispensers.
If you are taking several doses each day, it can be difficult to work out when to take them. With most medicines, you do not have to wake up during the night to take a dose, so you can spread out the doses throughout the day.
Taking more than one medicine
Some medicines interact with other medicines. This can happen in various ways: one medicine might stop another from working so well, whereas others can increase the effect of another medicine. You should always tell the doctor if you are taking other medicines, including those bought over the counter, herbal and complementary medicines and other prescribed medicines (such as hospital prescribed medications).
When your doctor knows about all of your child’s medicines, he or she can work out if they are likely to interact. If there is a chance of an interaction, you might need to alter the schedule of doses so that the two medicines are not taken at the same time. Alternatively, your child might need to be prescribed another medicine altogether. If you are concerned about medicines interacting, please discuss this with your doctor.
Storing medicines
- Always keep medicines out of sight and reach of children.
- Some medicines need to be kept in the fridge, but most at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, such as radiators or fires. The label should give storage instructions but check with our dispensers or your community pharmacist if you are unsure.
- A locked medicine cabinet on the wall is often the safest place to store medicines. Most people keep their medicine cabinet in the bathroom, where it can be hot and steamy, and it could be better placed elsewhere in the home.
- Always keep medicines in their original packaging. It can be dangerous to ‘decant’ medicines into another container as it will be unlabelled, which could be dangerous if different medicines get mixed up and taken at the wrong time. Some medicines do not work as well once they have been removed from the packaging, such as tablets or capsules that come in blister packs. As well as showing the name of the medicine, the packaging usually protects it as well. Keep the patient information leaflet that comes in the package as well – this tells you important information about the medicine such as side effects and storage instructions.
- If you have trouble opening childproof containers, ask your pharmacist about optional devices for opening them. If you store medicines out of sight and reach of children, you might not need a childproof container.
Disposing of unwanted medicines
- Medicines are expensive so do not ask for more than you need. It can also be risky to keep too many medicines at home. It is not advisable to ask for a bigger supply to save for another occasion as some medicines have a short expiry date.
- If your doctor decides to stop treatment with a medicine or change to a different one, return any unused liquids, tablets or capsules to the pharmacist. Do not flush them down the toilet or throw them away.
- Do not hoard medicines if they are no longer required. It is a good idea to check your medicine cabinet on a regular basis, returning any unused or unwanted medicines to the pharmacy or dispensary you obtained it from for disposal.
Asking questions
Our dispensing staff are always happy to answer any questions you have about your medicines.