Medicine that can only be prescribed by your doctor could be the answer to what ails you, but nevertheless, these drugs should be considered dangerous if not taken properly. There are reasons why they are not sold over the counter.
Rest assured your doctor is making the right choice for you, but every medicine has some risk of side effects and while doctors take this into account when prescribing it, you should also take the time educate yourself.
Here are a few tips to help you play a more active role in your health care.
1. Ask questions. If you have any questions, especially about a new drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist. It’s always a good idea to write them out beforehand. Some of the important ones: What side effects might you experience? How often and how serious are they? How should you take the medicine — how much and how often, with food or on an empty stomach? Are there any other medicines (by prescription or over the counter) that you should avoid while taking this one?
2. Get the information you need. When you speak with your doctor or pharmacist, you may find it difficult to keep track of everything they are saying. Get as much information as possible in writing — whether in the form of package inserts or pharmacy printouts — so you can read it over later. You can also take notes. If you don’t see a pharmacy drug information printout when you receive your medication, ask for one.
3. Tell your doctor about all your medications and supplements. The more medications you take, the greater the risk of drug interactions. Make sure you tell your doctor about all your medications, and ask about possible interactions with other drugs, supplements, or food. It’s impossible to predict every problem, but some might be avoided. Even when armed with all this information, it is ultimately up to you to take your medicine in the way it was meant to be taken.
If you take a medicine in a way that is different from what the doctor prescribed, you are abusing the drug. This may sound harsh, but the consequences of abusing prescription drugs are just as dangerous as any kind of drug abuse.
You are abusing prescription drugs if you are:
• Taking a medicine that was prescribed for someone else
• Taking a larger dose than you are supposed to
• Taking the medicine in a different way than what was prescribed. This might be crushing tablets and then snorting or injecting them
• Using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high.
Abusing some prescription drugs can lead to addiction. These include narcotic painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.
Never be nervous to talk with your doctor about your prescriptions. It’s better to be aware of all the risks.
