Medicines: Important Information.

Medicines: What you must know.

Medicines which you can buy in pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription are known as non- prescription or simply over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.  It must be pointed out that although over-the counter medicines can be used without medical supervision, they are not always without side effects and if not used correctly can just be as dangerous as prescription medicines.

Medicine package insert instructions and Labels

For your own safety, label and package insert instructions should be followed closely. If you are unsure about any aspect of an over-the-counter medication, consult your pharmacist or doctor.

Label and package insert instructions explain how a medicine should be used for best results and how to avoid abuse.  The label will often include a warning about intake limits or length of time the product should be used and any contra-indications e.g. taking the drug during pregnancy.

Package inserts provide detailed information on symptoms, dosage and side effects. They also tell you when a doctor’s opinion is necessary before taking the medicine.

Prescription medicines

Medicines available only on prescription are those registered as such by law. They contain active ingredients that may have side effects and usually require medical supervision. For example, if the medicine does not have the desired effect, or if there are adverse effects, the doctor may adjust the dosage or prescribe an alternative medicine. Prescription drugs must not be sold without any prescription from qualified medical personnel.

Ask the Doctor about Medicines before you leave.

Before you leave the doctors office you must ask any questions you have about a medicine to your doctor and if necessary ask him/her to repeat the instructions if they are not clear the first time. This is very important because the effectiveness of the medicine depends on the quantity prescribed. Anything less than the prescribed amounts may not be as effective in treatment. Excessive quantities may result in injury poisoning or death. It very important to understand how to take the medication before you leave the doctor’s office.

What to ask the Doctor about the Medicine Prescribed to your Child.

When your doctor prescribes a drug for you or your child, make sure that you ask the following:

·         What the purpose of the medication is.

·         How much to take or give in each dose.

·         How often a dose should be taken or given.

·         If it matters when you take or give the drug in relation to food.

·         If, for example, you have to take a drug four times a day, does it mean four times during 24 hours (i.e. every six hours) or does it mean at intervals during waking hours?

·         If it is necessary to wake your child at night for medication.

·         If the drug will interact with other drugs, food or alcohol.

·         If there are any side effects.

·         How soon you should expect to see an improvement in you or your child’s condition.

·         How long you should continue to take or give the drug.

·         What follow-up should there be and by whom.

Safe Usage of Medicines

• Always know the name of the medicine you are taking.
• Read the product label and package insert and make sure that you understand the purpose of the medication the directions and precautions.
• Do not pour medicines from the prescription bottle into another. If medicine is in a brown bottle it is light sensitive.
• Take medications as directed. Do  not think that because one pill works well, two will be better.
• Familiarise yourself with the ingredients in each product you take. If you are using more than one  medicine containing the same ingredient, you may be inadvertently be taking an overdose.
• If you are or think you may be pregnant, be extremely cautious about any medicines you take, particularly during the first twelve weeks.
• Check expiry dates on over-the-counter medicines and destroy ( do not throw them into the dust  bin) any which are over the recommended date. Medicines stored for long periods lose their potency or become dangerous.
• Discard or eye preparations one month after opening because they deteriorate rapidly.
• Keep medicines in a locked, dark cupboard in  a cool dry place out of the reach of children.
• Not the colour, taste and smell of the medication. If any of them change consult your pharmacist.
• If you experience a reaction you were not cautioned about ( e.g. diarrhoea, skin rash) stop taking the medicine. Check the package insert and consult your doctor if the symptom does  not clear.
• Avoid taking alcoholic beverages with medication.

You and Your Pharmacist

Your pharmacist is specifically trained to dispense medicines. Pharmacists are also able to provide advice on medicines as their training and practice provides them with this knowledge. Medicines are products of high technology, even those that may be bought without a doctor’s prescription. There are many medicines available with similar actions but which one is best for you? The pharmacist is the health professional who can help you to decide.

Whenever you select a medicine for a particular condition, discuss your decision with your pharmacist, to be sure you are getting best value for your needs.

New medicines and new forms of medicines are introduced from time to time – your pharmacist keeps up-to-date on these. It could be that one of these would be better suited to your needs – so ask your pharmacist.

Each and every medicine has specific advantages and your pharmacist is able to help you evaluate what is best for you.

When buying medicine, whether on prescription or not, be sure you know what the medicine is and what it is to be used for and how and when you should take it. Some medicines, for example, should be taken before meals and others after meals. Some medicines may even be required to be taken when standing up.

The length of time for which you take the medicine is also important, so ask your pharmacist whether you should complete the course or only take the medicine until you feel better. Some medicines may interact with foods, beverages or other medicines. To obtain the best results, ask your pharmacist exactly when you should take your medicine.

It is always wise to inform your pharmacist of medication you are already taking, even those on a routine basis as these could also interact with other medicines. Side effects that arise from some medications may interfere with normal daily routines. You should know what these could be. Forewarned is forearmed. Ask your pharmacist about possible side effects.

If untoward symptoms or side effects arise, tell your pharmacist. He is there to help you achieve the best result from your treatment.

In the United States it has been shown that hundreds of millions of dollars spent on medicines are wasted because patients do not comply with directions for use. The same situation occurs in South Africa. Many instances on non-compliance have resulted in hospitalization of patients. Help yourself by complying meticulously with the instructions for use – whether they are prescription medicines or over-the-counter medicines.

Medicines are highly sophisticated products that in most instances have been the subject of extensive research. Take advantage of the added value your pharmacist can give you – in this way you can be sure of getting the best value for the money you spend on medicines.