Why is it important to follow instructions on the preparation and use of medication?
December 14, 2018Each year in the United States, an estimated 125,000 people die from not taking their medications exactly as prescribed by their doctor. Using medications correctly at the right time and in the right way can usually prevent health conditions from becoming worse while also reducing the risk of hospitalization and death. Yet, medications are still not being used as intended approximately 50 percent of the time. Show Why Don’t People Take Medications as Directed?There are countless reasons medications aren’t being used as prescribed, and not all of them are intentional. Some people forget to take their medications or have difficulty understanding the directions. Others may stop taking their medications to avoid unpleasant side effects or because they think their medications aren’t effectively treating symptoms. In some instances, people skip doses so they can make their medications last longer or because they can’t afford to refill their prescriptions right away. While all the above factors may seem like valid reasons not to use medications as directed, misusing medication can often lead to adverse health outcomes and fatality. Benefits of Using Medication ProperlyA better health outcome is the most significant benefit of using medication correctly as prescribed. Doctors prescribe medications to treat your symptoms and to help you manage or overcome certain health conditions. Failing to use medicines as prescribed can result in worsened health, longer recovery, unwanted side effects, substance use disorders, death, and other serious health conditions that require intensive treatment. Using medication correctly can help you save money that would otherwise be spent on health care costs related to medication mismanagement, such as hospitalization, emergency room visits, and addiction recovery treatment. Tips for Taking Medication as PrescribedBefore using a new medication, carefully read all the directions on the label and ask your doctor or pharmacist for help and clarification if you’re confused or unsure about how to properly take the medication. This can prevent misunderstandings that could lead to accidentally doubling up on doses or using less than intended. Your doctor or pharmacist can also explain possible side effects you may face when misusing the medication or combining it with certain other substances. For instance, benzodiazepines should never be mixed with opioids, since this combination can result in overdose or death.
Healthcare Associates of Texas has an on-site pharmacy with additional services that include prescription transfers and patient convenience delivery programs. Request an appointment today or contact us at (972) 258-7499 to learn about our many available healthcare services. References: Ready to become your healthiest self?Get tips delivered to your e-mail inbox every month. Let’s get happier and healthier together! Introduction We take medications to diagnose, treat, or prevent illness. They come in lots of different forms and we take them in many different ways. You may take a drug yourself, or a healthcare provider may give it to you. Drugs can be dangerous, though, even when they’re meant to improve our health. Taking them correctly and understanding the right way to administer them can reduce the risks. Read on to learn the importance of using medication as directed. There are several different ways drugs can be administered. You’re probably familiar with injections and pills that you swallow, but medications can be given in many other ways as well. Routes of medication administration are described in the table below. The route used to give a drug depends on three main factors:
For instance, some drugs are destroyed by stomach acid if they’re taken by mouth. So, they may have to be given by injection instead. Not all types of medications can be administered at home or by someone without special training. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers are trained in how to give you medication safely. Administration of medication requires thorough understanding the drug, including:
Healthcare providers are trained in all of these issues. In fact, many healthcare providers keep in mind the “five rights” when they administer drugs:
Medication errors happen all too often in the United States, even when drugs are given by professionals. The Food and Drug Administration receives more than 100,000 reports of medication errors annually through its MedWatch program. These errors can take place when:
The “rights” are a starting point in helping to make sure that medications are given correctly and safely. It’s important to take only the dosage described in the prescription label or other instructions. Dosage is carefully determined by your doctor and can be affected by your age, weight, kidney and liver health, and other health conditions. For some medications, dosage must be determined by trial and error. In these cases, your healthcare provider would need to monitor you when you first start treatment. For example, if your doctor prescribes thyroid medications or blood thinners, you would likely need to have several blood tests over time to show if the dosage is too high or too low. The results from these tests would help your doctor adjust your dosage until they find the one that’s right for you. Many medications need to reach a certain level in your bloodstream to be effective. They need to be given at specific times, such as every morning, to keep that amount of drug in your system. Taking a dose too soon could lead to drug levels that are too high, and missing a dose or waiting too long between doses could lower the amount of drug in your body and keep it from working properly. Adverse events, or unwanted and negative effects, can happen with any drug. These effects can include an allergic reaction or an interaction with another drug you’re taking. To help avoid these problems, be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you’re taking or any times you’ve had an allergy to drugs or foods. A drug with high risk of adverse effects may be administered only by a healthcare provider. And in some uncommon cases, your healthcare provider may keep you in their facility so they can observe how the drug affects you. If you take a medication yourself, it’s up to you to watch for problems, such as a rash, swelling, or other side effects. If you notice any problems, be sure to let your doctor know. Be sure to take your medications correctly to get the most out them and to reduce your risk of side effects and other problems. Anyone giving you the drug should follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Make sure that you understand everything about taking your medication. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor. Some questions you might ask include:
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