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Medications are
the basis of therapy for thousands of illnesses/diseases, have saved
countless millions of lives, and improved countless millions more.
Additionally, your doctor will thoroughly explain all the relevant details
about any medication he will prescribe. However, there are a number of
important general rules to remember, regardless of the medication, that
your doctor wants you to know to make sure that they are safe, and
effective, over time: |
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DOSAGE
INSTRUCTIONS
When you take your medication, do you know for certain how many times
per day you should be taking it, and whether you should take it on a full
stomach, before or after meals - what if you're drinking or driving?
These are all important things to know. What if you miss a dose,
should you "double up" next time? The answer is very different
depending upon the medication. Ask about them. |
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KNOW
YOUR MEDICATIONS
What if you're in a car accident a long way from home, without your
pill bottles, and you have to have surgery for a broken leg? What if one
of the medications you're taking would make a certain type of anesthesia
dangerous? Do you know the full names, doses, and times of day that you
are supposed to take your medication?
If you have a complex, or long list of medications that is too hard
to remember - do you have a printed list in your wallet or purse?
Your doctor is an expert source of information whom you can ask
about various medications - But what if your doctor can't be reached? What
if your chart is burned in a terrible fire? What if you need another drug
right away, in an emergency - will something happen to you because of two
of your medications interacting? Who will be able to prevent complications
from drug interactions? - by knowing your medications names, doses, times of day, and what
each is for. |
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LENGTH OF
TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Many medications work very well when taken as directed, but can cause
serious harm if they are interrupted or stopped without the knowledge and
help of a doctor. Have you, possibly unknowingly, exposed yourself to
danger because of stopping and / or starting medication without the
knowledge and guidance of your doctor(s)? Should you be taking a
particular prescription for an extended period of time, possibly forever,
or is this just for the next few weeks? Help to prevent unwanted side
effects from happening by asking any questions you might have of your
doctor.
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MEDICATION
RENEWALS
Do you think it is a good idea to drive your car around until the gas
gauge is on the "E" for empty before
deciding to find a gas station? Not really. What if you
were stranded in a deserted area - and didn't realize until too late that
there are no gas stations for miles because you "thought you could
make it" 10 miles to the next station? The same is even more
important for medications.
Since starting and / or stopping if you run out could possibly be
dangerous for you, always make sure you have at least a few days of any
medication on hand when asking for a renewal.
In fact - with the new trend in so called Managed Care - many of us
have to "mail away" for our medications - and that can take 2 to
3 WEEKS to return. In those cases - you should consider renewing your
medication when you have no less than a 3 - 4 weeks supply left!
That way, you won't find yourself having to have the prescription
filled in the middle of a busy day, spending your time standing at the
pharmacy, eagerly awaiting your "emergency phoned-in
prescription", fearful at missing your 5 O'Clock dose, angry at the
pharmacist, all because you didn't ask for a renewal days
ago.
That kind of preparedness will also cut down on weekend prescription
making, which can be difficult because your chart is usually not in front
of your doctor at the moment, or you may be speaking to a covering
physician who doesn't know you at all. Since your doctor would almost
surely check your medications to make sure the renewal type, amount,
strength, etc., are all appropriate for you, it would be in your best
interest to make sure a 3 to 4 day supply of your medication on hand at
all times, and to request renewals when your chart is easily available,
and when the office is open
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DRUG
INTERACTIONS
There are medications that certain people shouldn't take at all, such
as people taking blood thinners not taking aspirin; or only rarely - such
as people taking high blood pressure pills not taking certain cold
preparations. These should be asked about. |
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OVER THE
COUNTER MEDICATIONS / ALTERNATIVE MEDICATIONS
Did you know:
-If you are taking Coumadin - an anti-clotting drug - for a serious
disorder - taking a multivitamin - or even an aspirin - without
discussing it with your doctor first - could kill you?!
-If you have HIV, taking St Johns Wort for depression could lessen
the effectiveness of your anti-HIV drugs and imperil your survival?
-If you are taking "Mega" doses of fat soluble Vitamins
(A, D, E, or K) or any of their congeners (chemical look-alikes) You could
eventually go into a coma from which you might not escape?!
-Bilberry, Kava Kava, and Milk Thistle can cause severe Liver damage; and
Camomile Tea has been associated with the production of Stomach Cancer?!
-"Ma Huang" or Ephedra / Ephedrine - used as an
over-the-counter stimulant or energy booster, causes such increases in
blood pressure that it has been linked to strokes, heart attacks, and
death - in PREVIOUSLY HEALTHY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN - to say nothing of the
effects on someone who already has
high blood pressure!
Some of the most serious, dangerous, and LIFE THREATENING drug side
effects have occurred with the use of over the counter medications, or
some of the "alternative" medications (such as herbs and very
high dose Vitamins) in vogue today - either alone, or in combination with
prescription medication. Therefore, always read the labels on any
medication to see if there are any illnesses/other medications with which
you should not take it, and a good rule of thumb is to ask your doctor
regarding any over the counter medication if you are taking prescription
medication.
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SIDE EFFECTS
Should you experience any side effects that you think might be due to
your medication(s) or their interaction with each other, the most prudent
thing to do is to call your doctor rather than guess.
In summary, medications are useful, sometimes lifesaving substances
when used properly by an informed patient. The key to their safe use of is
to stay within guidelines for their use, ask questions when not sure, and
be aware of all medications taken. In this way, side effects and
interactions are avoided, and keeping you as healthy as possible is
achieved.
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This
pamphlet was prepared exclusively by Michael David Hein, M.D., an Endocrinologist in
private group practice in Providence, Rhode Island, as a service to his patients and to
interested parties, in accordance with currently available scientific data and accepted
Endocrinologic practice. It is not, nor is it meant to be, a substitute for actual medical
care, and its advice and directives are meant to supercede those
of your private physician. Dr. Hein is responsible for this articles content, and would be
happy to answer any questions you might have after reading it.
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