Do not take medicines “on your own”. Self-medication is a dangerous game that can severely impair your health, and inadequate use of medicines can cause intoxication, even fatal outcome.
Are you one of those people who tend to take a medicine prescribed to a relative or neighbor because it helps them and will probably be good for you too?
It is especially dangerous if you take antibiotics, antihypertensives or other tranquilizers that are not prescribed to you. It is equally unacceptable to consult the Internet instead of a doctor or pharmacist, and prescribe a therapy to yourself based on advertising recommendations or “patients’ experiences” from Internet portals.
Which medicine is right for you?
“The only medicine that has been prescribed by your doctor is the right medicine for you. Your medicine has been selected according to your health state, and the therapy has been adjusted to your age, gender, weight, and any accompanying diseases you suffer from. Therefore, you should never take medicines prescribed to other people, and don't give your medicines to others even if their symptoms are the same as yours!”, Dr. Milan Ljubinkovic, Sales Manager for Western Balkans, Hemofarm OTC/CHC portfolio, warns.
In order to get a medicine that is best for you, you should tell your doctor if:
• you know that you are allergic to a medicine
• you have other health problems
• you are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant or breastfeeding
• you are on a special diet (salt-free, sugar-free, fat-free or vegetarian diet).
“It is also important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medicines. Why is it important? Because some medicines ‘don't like’ interacting with others! When several medicines are co-administered, their synergy, mutual interferences and interactions can reduce the efficacy or increase side effects of the prescribed medicine”, our interlocutor explains.
Do not give a medicine to a child that has been prescribed to an adult, without consulting a pediatrician. Keep medicines out of reach of children. Some medicines, if taken accidentally, can cause serious intoxication and have unpredictable effects.
The right dose
Health statistics in Serbia warn that more than a half of people suffering from high blood pressure do not take therapy at all, and as few as 30 percent of the remaining half adhere to the prescribed dose.
“Some patients tend to determine the dose of a medicine ‘on their own’, and thus can seriously impair their health condition. The right dose of the medicine for you is exclusively the one prescribed by your doctor, and only the prescribed dose provides you the optimal treatment. Otherwise, the medicine can have a very harmful effect. Therefore, be responsible, adhere to the prescribed dose, and do not decrease or increase it. Likewise, do not make a decision to stop taking a medicine on your own, without previously consulting your doctor”, Dr. Ljubinkovic points out.
Always in the right time
Some medicines should be taken before a meal, some after a meal, and some with a meal. In addition, certain medicines have a better effect if they are taken in a particular part of the day, for example in the morning.
“However, some medicines should be preferably taken before bedtime because they are more effective then, and in synergy with metabolic processes in the body. If you are taking several medicines, it is especially important to strictly adhere to the prescribed dosing schedule (order and time), given a possible bad drug interaction.
If your activities are unusual, for example night work or intense physical effort, inform your doctor thereof, so that he/she can determine the best time for taking the therapy. Moreover, optimal fluid intake is required for normal drug metabolism, so when you take medicines, drink plenty of water”, Dr. Milan Ljubinkovic advises.
