All about your medicine

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 268, 20 December 1988, Page 4 (Supplement)

All about your medicine

When you are given a prescription with your name on it by your doctor, he or she means it to be taken by you and no one else.

It is designed to treat your symptoms, not those of your husband, sister, aunt or anyone else. So don't hand your medicine or pills round, and don't accept any from a well-mean-ing friend or relative. Almost all medicines and pills will do you harm if taken in too great a quantity or incorrectly. Follow the instructions on the label. Twice the amount won't do you twice as much good, or work any quicker, and could even be dangerous. Some medicines may react with each other, altering their effect so, when your doctor or chemist suggests a

medicine for you, always mention any others you are taking regularly and ask if it is safe to take them together. The effect of some medicines, tranquillisers for example, is increased by alcohol, and certain anti depressants react badly with particular foods, such as cheese and marmite. Where necessary, the chemist will write detailed warnings on the label, so do be sure to read and follow all instructions carefully. Medicines are available in various forms and absorbed into the blood stream in different ways - some

through the 1 i n i n g membrane in the mouth, some through the stomach lining, and some further down the digestive system in the intestines. Taking medicine with or without food, as instructed, can greatly effect the absorption rate of the medicine. In the case of some medicines - especially sleeping pills and tranquillisers - the usual dose will have a greater effect on the elderly and the dose may have to be adjusted accordingly. This is because a person's metabolism tends to slow down with age and their weight sometimes decreases. Children too, need smaller doses, depending on their age and weight.

Finishing a whole course of tablets i s very important in the case of antibiotics to avoid resistant germs from rallying and multiply again, thus becoming stronger and needing a different antibiotic. With medicines prescribed long term, its usual to see your doctor every three to six months. He or she may wish to reassess whether you still need the treatment, perhaps adjust the dosage or, depending on the circumstances, check your blood pressure for example. Tell your doctor if you have headaches or nausea or any other symptom you don't normally suffer from while taking medicines. For minor illnesses and health problems your chemist can usually give good advice and suggest a suitable remedy you can buy. If

you don't understand your doctors instructions on how to take it ask the chemist to explain. Also tell your doctor or chemist if there is a possibility that you may be pregnant as most medicines - unless essential - are best avoided then, especially in the first three months. Finally, keep all medicines out of reach of children and locked up if possible.