Medication has meant an advance in the quality of life and life expectancy of human beings.. In any case, the daily routine of taking medication sometimes makes us see this act as something of no further significance.
However, in this article we will underline the importance of safe medication. We do not always have well internalized the guidelines that we must take into account to ensure that we medicate correctly, so we will find all the necessary warnings.
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The 15 essential tips to ensure a safe medication
From how to store medications to what to ask the doctor. Below we will see that there are different aspects to keep in mind to make safe medication a fact of life for us and the whole family.
The following are rules for the proper use of medications that every citizen should know.. It is necessary to know what we should do or what we should not do when we are talking about medications.
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1. Self-medication
Self-medication should be prevented at all costs.. Medications must always be prescribed by medical professionals or pharmacists.
2. Leaflet
Before taking any medication you should read the package leaflet.. It could be that, for example, some contraindications that should be avoided are read. For example, in the case of pregnancy or if we are taking another type of medication, it may be that we should not take a drug.
3. Storage
Medicines should always be stored in a suitable place.. It is necessary to look for a corner where there is no light, humidity and high temperatures. It is advisable to keep them all in the same place, either in the kitchen or in the bathroom.
4. Packaging
Do not remove the packaging in which the drugs are stored.. If we do so, the drug may deteriorate or the dosage may be altered. This is an important measure to guarantee a safe medication, even though sometimes it may not occur to us.
5. Tablet
Sometimes there are people who chew the tablets or break them up to take them separately (due to problems or fear of swallowing). The drug is not intended to be taken in this way. If the affected person has swallowing problems it is better to take alternatives such as syrups if possible..
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6. Capsules
As in the previous point, there are people who alter the presentation of the drug when it comes in capsule form. What they do is to remove them to take directly the active ingredient inside (thinking that it is better for their body). Altering the presentation of drugs can interfere with their action due to irregularities in their absorption..
7. Dosage
The doses of medicines must always be respected. Under no circumstances should you take more pills than prescribed by your doctor. In the case of syrups, it is necessary to be precise with the doses using a spoon or a syringe with a measuring device.
8. Frequency and total time of administration
In addition to the doses, it is very important to take the medication at the prescribed times and for the prescribed duration.. A medicine is not usually taken only once. We must respect what the doctor has told us in relation to the doses.
9. Expiry date
Every medicine by law comes with an expiration date, which we must make sure does not expire.. It is counterproductive to take a medicine whose expiration date has expired, it could harm us.
10. Shelf life
There are medicines that once opened have a shorter shelf life.. Normally this does not happen with tablets or pills, but it can happen with liquid syrups, for example. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the box.
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11. Reminders
To ensure that we do not forget to take the medication when it is due it is very appropriate to prepare reminders.. This can be, for example, writing a note on the fridge (we spend a lot of time in the kitchen) or setting alarms.
12. Children
Children should be kept away from adult medications.. If we have small children it is a bad idea to keep drugs within their reach. On the other hand, adult medication should never be given to children. A pediatrician should always be consulted.
13. Taking other medications
The doctor should always know what a person is taking before prescribing new medication.. Obviously, if you are not taking anything, there is nothing more to say. But in no case should you hide any medication you are taking from the doctor.
14. Doubts in the consultation
When you are in the consultation with your doctor do not hesitate to ask any questions. Above all, the important thing is to know how to take it, but it is also good that we are interested in why we should take it. Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions such as how the medication works or its side effects.
15. Feedback to the doctor
The occurrence of any discomfort or allergy should be reported to the physician.. If taking the medication causes undesirable symptoms to appear, the doctor must assess the case. If necessary, he/she may withdraw the medication in order to give us another medication or study another solution.
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