When you receive a prescription from your doctor, you might think your job is straightforward: take the medicine as directed, and you’ll get better.
However, medication management is more nuanced than that, and misunderstandings can lead to ineffective treatment or adverse reactions. Here’s how to take your medications safely and effectively.
First, a word on your prescription’s role in your treatment.
Your Prescription and You
Many patients see a prescription as a stand-alone cure for their health problems. That isn’t the case.
A prescription is just one piece of a larger treatment plan. Medications work best when combined with lifestyle changes. Think of your prescription as an aide in your healing journey, not a magic bullet — and that aide can only work to the best of its ability when it’s taken correctly.
Following Medication Instructions Precisely
Some prescription instructions can be deceptively similar but mean very different things.
For example, “take one pill twice daily” is not the same as “take two pills once daily.” The first means taking half the dose at two different times, while the second means taking a double dose at once. This distinction affects how the medication works in your body.
Timing Matters
If your medication needs to be taken every 12 hours, taking one dose at breakfast and the other at lunch defeats the purpose. The medication won’t maintain the proper therapeutic levels in your body.
Space them appropriately — perhaps at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. For medications taken three or four times daily, try to space the doses as evenly as possible throughout your waking hours.
Food Requirements
When a prescription says “take with food” or “take on an empty stomach,” these instructions aren’t arbitrary. They affect how well your body absorbs the medication or how likely you are to experience side effects. Follow them carefully.
Know Your Medications
When you receive a prescription, ask your healthcare provider exactly what it’s for. Will it treat a symptom? An infection? Is it meant to be taken regularly, or only as needed?
(Remember, “as needed” means take the prescription only when necessary for specific symptoms — not all the time.)
Ask what results to expect and what side effects might occur. Being warned of potential side effects in advance often helps patients better tolerate them, especially when they believe the benefits outweigh the discomfort.
Managing Side Effects
When you experience side effects, one of three things is happening:
- The medication doesn’t agree with your body
- The dose needs to be adjusted
- The medication needs to be changed altogether
Only your healthcare provider can determine which is occurring. Instead of stopping the medication on your own, report side effects to your doctor.
How to Prevent Medication Mix-Ups
Preventing medication mishaps starts as soon as the pharmacist hands you your prescription.
At the Pharmacy
Always review your medication before leaving the pharmacy. Once you leave, returns or refunds are rarely accepted.
Check that:
- The medication name matches your prescription
- The dosage is correct
- The instructions match what your doctor told you
At Home
Create a dedicated medication storage area specific to you, especially if you live with others. That way, you won’t accidentally take a roommate’s or spouse’s prescription. (If you do, contact your physician immediately.)
Here’s a tip: The text on medication bottles is often small and difficult to read, so use a permanent marker to write on medication bottle caps — your initials, the medication name, the dosage. You may even color-code them — red means take once a day, blue means take twice a day twelve hours apart, etc.
Be Aware of Changes
Many medications look similar — there are countless white, round pills, for instance. Additionally, generic medications may change in appearance between refills. When you receive a refill, always verify that you’ve received the correct medication, even if the pill looks different from your last prescription.
Every prescription medication has specific identifying marks, including:
- The shape
- The color
- Letters or numbers on one or both sides
If you’re ever uncertain, verify your medication using a reputable resource like drugs.com’s pill identifier tool, or consult your pharmacist.
Cost Considerations
If you won’t be able to follow a prescription’s instructions — for instance, if you know you’ll struggle to remember to take four daily doses — tell your healthcare provider immediately. Often, there are alternative medications that can be taken less frequently. While these might be more expensive, the improved compliance rate might make them worth considering.
If cost is a concern, discuss this with your provider, too. Sometimes, a slightly less effective but more affordable alternative might be available. The best medication is the one you’ll actually take, and cost can be a barrier to wellness.
Safety First
Finally, maintain a complete list of all your medications — including over-the-counter drugs and supplements — and share this with all your healthcare providers. They must periodically review all your medications and supplements in their original bottles. Drug interactions are a major cause of generalized illness, often because providers don’t know all the medications a patient takes.
If you accidentally take the wrong medication or mix up doses, contact your physician immediately. It’s better to be cautious and get professional advice than to wait and risk illness.
Your pharmacist and physician are valuable resources. Reach out to our practice today to ask questions about your medications — that’s what I’m here for. Taking medications correctly is a crucial part of your healthcare journey, and understanding how to avoid common mistakes ensures your treatment’s success.
