Prescription Medication Guide and Tips
It’s important to have some information about the type of medicine you take to avoid various health problems that can arise due to a drug’s potential side-effects. As a person begins to age, the body starts to function less efficiently. You should get regular checkups and keep a track of medicines prescribed by your physician.
Your age and the frequent use of medicines can increase the chance of harmful drug interactions. So it’s imperative to take medication as prescribed by your doctor. Here are a few side effects of drugs that you can experience:
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
Keep a track of side effects to help your doctor understand which medicine is causing the issue and how you can manage the effects. Call your doctor before your symptoms get worse!
Talk to Your Doctor
It’s vital that you talk to your doctor about your medical conditions and the medicines you take for them. Here are a few things that you must communicate to your doctor:
- Medicine count: Clearly tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. Don’t forget to include dietary supplements, herbals, eye drops, and topical medicines, such as ointments and creams.
- Follow up with your doctor – If you’re taking prescription medication then keep in touch with your doctor and keep him/her informed about how well your medication is working. Don’t stop taking medication by yourself, even if you start feeling better.
- Medical history – Don’t hide anything about your medical history from your doctor. Clearly mention if you’ve any kind of allergies from food, medicines, or other drugs.
- Take medical records – If you’re going to get a second opinion and consult another doctor then be sure to bring your previous medical reports with you, so that your doctor can easily understand your previous medical issues.
- Eating habits – If you’re following a special diet or have made any changes to your diet, tell your doctor right away. Don’t forget to mention how much tea, coffee, or alcohol you drink in a day and whether you smoke or not. These things can make quite a difference in your medication prescription.
- Don’t double the dose of your medication without asking your doctor – Make sure to take your medication on time. In case you forget, don’t double the dose later. Consult your healthcare professional immediately!
- Issue in swallowing medicines – Ask your doctor to change your medication if you have issues with swallowing. Your doctor can prescribe a liquid or other form of medication that doesn’t require you to take them orally. You can also crush your hard pills and take it with water. Make sure not to chew, crush or break any capsule medication without consulting your doctor.
- Make a proper schedule – A doctor generally provides dose schedule with the prescription. To avoid forgetting the schedule and to keep a track of your daily dose and time, use a medicine calendar or pill box (with weekly distribution). The prescription from your doctor must contain clear directions about when and how to take a medicine.
