Correct drug intake is a requirement for their effectiveness and safety. But the majority of individuals make drug mistakes unknowingly, which may have health risks. These mistakes may cause side effects, ineffectiveness of the medication, or even lethal conditions.
In this blog, we will share common drug mistakes and provide guidance on how to prevent them, keeping you on the right track to your wellness.
Noncompliance with the Dosage as Directed
One of the most common medication mistakes is not adhering to the prescribed dose. Too much or too little can either prevent the medication from functioning properly. For instance, taking a higher dose in anticipation of faster relief may lead to an overdose, but taking less may not have the intended effect.
This is especially important for medications that require special considerations, such as those that have gone through orphan drug registration for rare diseases
How to Avoid It
Always follow doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions. If you are unsure of the correct dosage, clear it. Utilizing a pill organizer or reminders may assist in maintaining consistency.
Taking Medicines at the Wrong Time
Your timing with the medicine is just as important as your dosage. Some medication needs to be taken with food and some with a blank stomach so it assimilates right. Taking medicine at the incorrect time will ruin the effect of medicine or possibly upset your stomach.
How to Avoid It
Stick to the timings specified by your doctor. If unsure, ask pharmacists about the most appropriate time to take medication. It may be a reasonable case for planning a set timetable for taking medications each day.
Not Completing the Full Course of Medication
People have the habit of stopping the medication once they get well, particularly with antibiotics. This would lead to relapse of the disease or development of drug resistance.
In case of long-standing diseases like diabetes or hypertension, premature stopping of medication can trigger more symptoms.
How to Prevent It:
Finish your medicine completely according to your provider’s prescription, even when you start to feel better. Talk with your provider about any difficulties with treatment or the side effects before you stop taking it. Your provider may change your plan of treatment, so taking care of your medication is easier.
Storing Medications Incorrectly
Some drugs will require a cool dry place while others may require refrigerators. Drugs kept warm and humid in places like bathrooms become less effective with time.
Prevention
Always store medications according to the directions on the label or instructions of the pharmacist. Most medicines should be kept secured under lock and key, away from children, and checked for expiry dates. In case of doubt or uncertainty, consult your pharmacist about the correct procedure for storage.
Crushing or Opening Pills Without Guidance
Some medications are pill-borne, meaning they should be swallowed whole. For starters, by crushing or opening the pill without consulting a healthcare provider, a medication’s performance or effect may be altered or diminished.
Some pills have coating or slow-release mechanisms that could be destroyed by crushing.
How to Avoid It
If there are difficulties with swallowing, a risk exists for the prescribing doctor or pharmacist to recommend possible alternatives, including a liquid version or pills in lower doses. Ask if it is safe to crush or open the medicine; never do any of these things without guidance.
Relying on Outdated Information
Just because a medication has worked for you in the past, it may now not be working to your satisfaction.
Either a major change in health status may have occurred, or the medicine just may have lost its effectiveness since these medicines don’t stay potent indefinitely.
How to Prevent It
Always remain in active (open) communication with your doctor concerning your medications, and never even think about taking medicine after the expiration period. Should any change occur regarding your health, changes in your medication regimen must be made. You can always consult your doctor before getting refill prescriptions or making any changes.
Maintaining Medication Safety through Appropriate Registration
Besides the appropriate handling and management of drugs, it’s also important that drugs are registered lawfully and safely.
For instance, in some areas, drugs must undergo procedures such as SFDA Registration to confirm that they have the required safety standards before being sold to the public.
Conclusion
Taking drugs as advised is important to treat health issues and keep your treatments effective. Prevention of drug errors like wrong dosing, incorrect mixing of drugs without consulting the doctor, or not following storage instructions will enable you to make your medicines work optimally.
You are always advised to contact your doctor or pharmacist if there are queries or doubts regarding your medications. You will never commit errors and remain healthy with proper care.