Do You Know Your Medication?

What is the name of that "little pink tablet" you take for high blood pressure? When the doctor speaks of dosage, what exactly does he mean? Is the bathroom a suitable "cool, dry place" for storing medication? This is just some of the important information patients should know about their medication.

The Name of the Medication The brand name is the name given to a drug by its manufacturer and therefore, there may be several brand names for the same drug, e.g. paracetamol is known as Panadol, Paramol, Tylenol and Calpol to name a few of the brands available in Barbados. The generic name is the name given to the drug. It is often related to the chemical structure and may differ according to the region. For example, in Europe and Asia the generic name for Panadol is paracetamol. In North America it is acetaminophen.

  • The Indication
    This refers to the illness or condition for which the drug is used.

  • The Dose
    This relates to how much of a particular drug should be taken at one time.

  • The Dosage
    This refers to how often the drug should be taken.

  • The Onset of Action
    This refers to the length of time before the medication takes effect. It may vary from patient to patient.

  • Duration of Action
    The length of time the effect can be expected to last, which may vary from patient to patient.

  • Duration of Therapy
    How long the medication should be taken ­ whether you should continue taking the medication until the symptoms disappear or until the medication is gone.

  • Special Considerations
    Refers to when the medication should be taken e.g. before meals, at bedtime, and whether there are any types of food, drink or other medicines to avoid. Some medications for which special considerations are necessary include oral contraceptives and antibiotics.

  • Side Effects
    Medicines can cause effects other than those for which the medication is prescribed. It is important to know what to do about them, which ones may be ignored and which ones should be reported to a doctor.

  • Refills
    This refers to how and when to repeat medication.

  • Storage
    Most medication should be stored in a cool, dry place but there are certain medications that must be refrigerated. The bathroom is not a good place to store medication because of the amount of moisture in the air, which can aid in deterioration. Medication should be stored in the container in which it was dispensed and should never be stored in the same container as other medications.

  • Disposal
    Unused and outdated medication should be disposed of because they tend to become ineffective, and may be harmful. Disposal should be carried out according to the instructions of the pharmacist or the medication should be returned to the pharmacist for safe disposal.

    Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Medicine Cabinet

    Most people are familiar with spring-cleaning, the once- or twice-a-year occasion when you remove the cobwebs and throw out the junk that has accumulated in your closets and garage. But how much attention do you pay to your medicine cabinet? Spring-cleaning your medicine cabinet is just as, or more, important than cleaning out the garage because unused medicines can be dangerous. How do you decide whether you should throw away that bottle of pills you haven't touched in ages? Here are a few tips on what to look for:

    • If medicines have been stored for a long time, chances are they have lost strength. You are best advised to toss them away and contact your doctor or pharmacist if you need to have it replaced.
    • Carefully check the expiration dates of all medicines. The by-products of expired medicines can have dangerous effects when taken, so you should throw away any medicines that have expired dates.
    • If you come across medicine and you can't remember what it used for or how to take it, throw it away.
    All medicines should be stored out of the reach of children. When disposing of unused medicine, do not simply throw it into bathroom waste bins where it young children can get to it. Your best bet is to return all old, expired medication to your pharmacist and have him/her dispose of it safely. Taking Your Medication

    Prescriptions often come with instructions for the use that read something like "Take one tablet three times a day" or "Take one tablet once a day before meals". What do these instructions really mean? Does "before meals" mean just as you sit down to eat or does it refer to some specific amount of time before actually eating? The following information should shed some light on how to take your medication correctly:

    • Once a day take your medication only once within a 24-hour period, preferably at the same time every day.
    • Twice a day take your medication every 12 hours, e.g. at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., etc.
    • Three times a day take you medication every eight hours, e.g. at 6:00 a.m., at 2:00 p.m. and at 10:00 p.m.
    • When needed/ As necessary the medication need not be taken at specific times, but should be taken at the onset of symptoms (pain, dizziness) or taken on or before exposure to an irritant (an asthmatic may need to use an inhaler before exercising or mowing the lawn).
    • Before meals the medication should be taken 20-30 minutes before you eat a meal. This may be recommended because the medication is more rapidly broken down by gastric juices found in the stomach after eating, or because the presence of food in the stomach before the medication is taken may delay the drug getting to the intestines where it may be better absorbed.
    • After meals the medication should be taken with the meal or immediately after eating. Confirm with your pharmacist whether "meal" refers to a full meal or a light snack.
    • As directed this means that the directions for taking the medication would have been given verbally by the doctor. If necessary, ask the pharmacist for clarification.
    • At bedtime: this means just before you retire for the night.

    Getting Help From Your Pharmacist Pharmacists are trained professionals who have expert knowledge about medications, but they can also provide other assistance to help you get the most out of your medication. On your next visit to the pharmacist feel free to ask him/her to:

    • Provide additional information about the drugs you are taking and let him/her know if you have any concerns about the drug.
    • Use easy-to-read instructions for taking your medication.
    • Provide special stick-on labels to bring to your attention any special precautions to be observed when taking your medication, such as not using alcohol.
    • Tell you if you need to store your medication in the refrigerator or other special place.
    • Help you choose over-the-counter drugs that will not interfere with any prescription drugs you may be taking or that will not trigger an illness, such as asthma.
    • Advise you about setting up and using medication schedules.
    • Help you fill out a wallet ID card or Medication Record that includes medical conditions, drug allergies and the medications you are taking.
    • Advise you on what foods to avoid while taking your medication and whether you will need any food supplements.
    • Keep your patient profile card that shows all the medications you take. This record can be valuable if your pharmacist has to consult with your doctor or if you move to another place.
    • Phone your doctor for you if the directions for taking your medication are unclear.
    • Offer information about any special conditions you may have, such as diabetes or asthma.

    Being a Responsible Patient Safe and appropriate drug therapy depends to a large extent on how responsible is the individual taking the medication. A conscientious effort by health care providers to educate and advise patients about their medication goes hand in hand with responsible action on the part of the patient to ensure better delivery of health care to all. Here are some Responsible Patients' Rules for rational drug use:

    • Medicines are to be used only as directed. Never take more than the prescribed dose and do not stop taking the medicines without the approval of your doctor or pharmacist.
    • Medicines can be harmful if they are misused or abused. All prescription or over-the-counter drugs can cause side effects and many interact with other medicines, food or alcohol. Observe all special considerations when taking medicine of any kind.
    • Medicines are not a cure for all ills. Do not expect to receive a prescription whenever you go to the doctor. Sometimes there are non-drug therapies, like eating a balanced diet and exercising, which are just as effective in treating certain conditions.
    • Medicines must be stored properly. Exposure to warmth, moisture and sunlight can cause some medicines to break down rapidly. It is not a good idea to store unused portions of medicines for a later date and you should always check with a pharmacist before using medication that has been stored for a long time. Pay special attention to the expiry dates on the items that you purchase over the counter.
    • All medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, should be kept out of the reach of children. Many children have been accidentally poisoned by medicine carelessly left within their reach by adults. Paracetamol and iron preparations are especially harmful to children when taken in large doses.
    • Your medicine was prescribed for your use only and should not be shared with anyone, no matter how similar to yours their symptoms might appear to be.
    • Report to your doctor immediately if any unusual symptoms develop while you are taking medication. These symptoms may signal an allergic reaction. Take note of the name of the medication and remind your doctor and pharmacist of the reaction each time you are prescribed or dispensed with medication.
    • Take your medication as prescribed. It is a waste of time, money and medicine if your visit your doctor, receive advice and fail to follow through on his/her instructions.
    • Read the label on all medication and make sure you understand all the instructions. Seek clarification from your pharmacist if you are not certain of how the directions are to be interpreted.
    • Never take medication in the dark even if you are sure you have picked up the right container.
    • Never switch containers since this may cause you to take the wrong medication. Keep your medication in its original container.
    • Keep a medication record. This is especially important if you take many different types of medication or medication for chronic diseases. Take your medication record with you when traveling or seeing a new doctor.