Medication is supposed to be a form of treatment for illness, but sometimes it can end up being a cause of illness. Around 5 to 10% of all hospital admissions are due to complications with medication. This is usually due to incorrect usage of medicine or failure to pick up on side effects. Below is a brief guide to using medication safely.
Stick to the recommended dose
Many medical emergencies are caused by people not taking enough medication or taking too much. If you’ve been prescribed medication for health conditions like heart disease or diabetes, it’s important that you don’t miss a dose – make sure to set alarms and consider a pill organizer if you have to take multiple forms of medication per day. Make sure not to exceed the recommended dose so that you’re not at risk of an overdose – always follow instructions carefully so that you know how often to take medication.
Watch out for side effects
Certain medications may cause side effects in certain people. It’s important to know the potential side effects so that you can detect symptoms early and get medical advice. This is particularly important when it comes to allergic reactions, which could be fatal (doctors should have records of existing allergies so that they can avoid prescribing medication you may be allergic to).
Take steps to avoid addiction
Taking certain medication regularly may lead to addiction. If you don’t need to take such medication, try to limit your dose to avoid getting addicted. For example, when it comes to painkillers, it could be worth regularly taking a break and trying herbal alternatives such as CBD or turmeric. If you think you are addicted and have been asked to stop taking medication, talk to a doctor about finding a safe way of reducing your dose that will minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Know which medication you can mix
Some forms of medication can be lethal if mixed. For example, you can take aspirin and paracetamol together – however you should never take aspirin and ibuprofen together. A doctor may be able to advise you as to which medications you can take together. Be careful of taking medication with certain drugs like alcohol and caffeine.
Check medication expiry dates
Many medicines have an expiry date. After this expiry date, medication may become ineffective or may even become dangerous to consume. If you’ve got old medication in your cupboard, check the date before consuming it.
Store your medication in a safe place
Medication needs to be stored at a correct temperature. Too much heat or cold could affect the potency of the medicine. Be wary of keeping medication on a windowsill where it could be exposed to intense sunlight or near a radiator. Avoid putting medication in the fridge or freezer unless the packaging states this on the back. It’s worth also keeping your medication out of reach if you have kids or pets – don’t keep medication in an unlocked cupboard near the floor where it can be easily accessed by curious infants or dogs.