What Can I Do to Prevent Side Effects
What can I do to prevent side effects?
Make it a point to know the medications you are taking – their names, what type of drugs they are, what they are expected to do, and the most common side effects that have been linked to them. Don’t leave this entirely up to your physician, and don’t accept any drug you are given without an answer as to why you need it.
Follow the dosage and administration recommendations for your medications, including how much to take, how often, what time of day, whether with or without food, and so on. If you believe the recommendations are confusing or difficult to follow, tell your physician.
Take your medication for as long as recommended, even if you feel better earlier. If you stop too early, your symptoms may return.
Be aware of any food or medication restrictions associated with your medications, and follow them.
Make sure your physician knows all the medications you are taking. Schedule a “medication review” appointment and bring all of them with you, if necessary.
Remember that even aspirin or acetaminophen, vitamins, herbal remedies, diet supplements, natural health remedies, and allergy or other over-the-counter medications are drugs that can affect you and your other medications. Make sure your physician knows about all the drugs you are taking.
Take only your own medications. Someone else’s medication was prescribed with no thought to your situation or how the drug might affect you.
Do not take expired medications or medications that appear to have deteriorated due to heat or moisture.
Refill your prescriptions promptly to prevent problems with your medication schedule.
Ask your physician for advice if you are traveling and need to understand how to keep to your medication schedule despite time changes.
Keep your medications away from too much heat and light. Store them as recommended.
Always keep your medications in the original containers, and never mix medications in the same container.
Don’t take medications in the dark during nighttime dosing. Turn on the light and make sure you’re taking the correct medications.