Taking medications for an extended period of time can be a major challenge. To ensure optimal treatment, it’s essential to follow to the letter your pharmacist’s instructions. In fact, every person has unique traits that can affect the prescribed dose of a medication. Your pharmacist always takes these into account when making his recommendations. Here are a few examples of these factors:
- age
- height and weight
- kidney function
- other medications being taken
- the stage of the illness
- certain lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol intake, diet)
You must also follow the dosage regimen established by your pharmacist, since some medications must be taken with food and others without in order to be fully effective.
Some medications are hard on the stomach and taking them with food makes them easier to digest. In addition, other medications are better absorbed by the body when food is present. But be careful about the foods you choose. Some foods, in fact, (grapefruit, for example) hinder the body’s ability to absorb certain medications.
Other medications must be taken 1 or 2 hours after a meal. That’s because some active ingredients are best absorbed by the body on an empty stomach. This ensures an optimal treatment.
Moreover, the impact of a medication can vary based on your sleeping habits, your diet and the other drugs you are taking.
Always remember that the pharmacist provides you with a schedule to follow after carefully analyzing your file. His goal is to make sure that your treatment has the best effect possible.
What about over-the-counter medications?
Before taking an over-the-counter medication, you should understand the related precautions. You must always consult the drug caution code on the product’s price tag. This code is made up of six letters, each corresponding to a specific warning. Please note that a medication can have more than one letter.
A – Drowsiness
May cause drowsiness or impair alertness. Avoid alcohol and drugs with a sedative effect, especially before driving a motor vehicle.
H – Drug dependency
May cause a drug habit. Do not use over a prolonged period of time.
X – Talk to your pharmacist
Talk to your pharmacist before using this product. He must explain the specific instructions to be followed when taking this medication.
B – Contraindication
May be hazardous to your health if you suffer from hypertension, prostatic hypertrophy, hyperthyroidism (goitre) or if you are taking antidepressants.
E – Diabetes
Not recommended for diabetics. This medication may cause undesirable adverse effects.
D – Intolerance
Contains aspirin. Must be avoided if you suffer from gout, stomach ulcers, asthma or if you are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner).
Your pharmacist is a valuable resource person. Talk to him!