When you get sick, particularly with something that you’ve never been sick with before, you want to make sure that the prescribed medication given to you is safe. After all, it’s unfortunate that humans often are quick to jump on anything doctors say to them as long as it will make them feel better. However, because of that, they also often forget that something wrong may happen if they don’t follow the drug precautions.
Therefore, before taking or starting any medication of any sort. there are precautions you must take. These precautions can help you ensure that the drugs you’re taking will work for your body, do more good than harm, and not inflict further illnesses on your body. Below are a few of those precautions.
1. Know Your Allergies And Check For Them
Some people are allergic to certain medications. For example, many people in the world are allergic to penicillin.
If you’re aware of the medicines and foods you’re allergic to, tell your doctors about them before they prescribed anything. Remember that if you take medication that you’re allergic to, it may cause you additional pain and suffering, depending on the severity of the allergy.
Be sure to take an allergy test once every two years. Once you’re familiar with your allergies, make sure to inform your doctor about these allergies, the type of reactions that come from them, and the severity of the allergy. Doing those things will make your whole experience in prescribing, obtaining, and purchasing medication more seamless and safer.
Thankfully, most drug manufacturers and outsource companies test their products for allergic reactions before they release them. If you are unfamiliar with outsourcing compounding or 503B facilities, here’s an explanation.
2. Ask Your Doctor First If It’s Not Prescribed
Prescriptions from doctors are recommended at all costs. However, sometimes you may want to try an over-the-counter (OTC) medication instead for various reasons (e.g., financial difficulties). However, most OTC drugs can only do so much. For example, not all over-the-counter pain relief medication is good for pain in the throat, some may even elevate the pain.
A doctor is well informed and well versed on the nitty-gritty of medication. No matter how small you think your ailment is or what the internet has diagnosed you with, they aren’t enough to be a substitute for your doctor’s medical advice. And if they say you need a prescription, take it instead of finding alternatives.
3. Check The Expiry Date
Checking the expiry date before starting any medication is one of the most important medication drug precautions tips out there. Taking expired medication could result in serious damage to your body, particularly if it’s an antibiotic. Sometimes expired medications can affect your metabolism adversely, which may even compromise your immune system.
Expired medication is also said to be harmful to your liver and kidneys. Make sure to check the date of your medication before you purchase it.
4. Check The Dosage And Directions For Intake
Both overdosing and underdosing are not good for you. Dosage details are provided to inform you on how much you need and can take to optimize the effect of the medicine and minimize potential side effects.
However, people tend to jump the gun and hope that if they take more of something, it will work quicker. Unfortunately, drugs don’t work that way.
Because of that, always check your prescription first before you take your medications. If the dosage isn’t legible, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor again. Remember not to guess or estimate when it comes to dosages.
You should commit to memory this basic principle of toxicology: the dose makes the poison. For example, a cup of coffee a day is okay; a hundred cups of coffee a day may kill you. It’s the same coffee, but different amounts have different effects.
Also, remember to check how to take the medication. Should you swallow a tablet whole? Do you need to dissolve the drug in water? If you don’t know and the medication’s label doesn’t say anything about it, ask your doctor.
5. Follow All Your Doctor’s Recommendations First
Whatever your doctor says, do it first before you think of alternatives like natural or alternative medicine. Remember that unlike prescription or over-the-counter medicines, most alternative medicines don’t have any formal research behind their effectiveness.
On the other hand, you can, however, test natural remedies for simple and common ailments like influenza or sore throat. However, when it comes to possibly life-threatening diseases, consult your doctor first.
Take Medications Wisely
The drug precautions developed over the years has been widespread and extensive. Scientists and people involved in health sciences have been at work for decades, trying to discover effective medications for everyone in the world.You can even find medication tailored to your needs these days, which can help you ensure that what you’re taking will work for you. However, it’s important that when you handle or begin taking medication, you take precautions, regardless if it’s custom tailored for you or came from a reputable pharmacy.
