Suggested Data to be published under this page:
- Patient Guide to use of drugs ensuring quality, safety and efficacy
- Common information to public Side effects of some antibiotics . ( prepared by Dr. Kushlani)
- Important information on use of antibiotics ( Prepared by Dr.Kushlani)
1. Patient Guide to use of drugs ensuring quality, safety and efficacy.
- Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
- Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines.This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you.
- Make sure that all health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you. Do not assume that everyone knows everything they need to
Questions to ask about your medicines: ( from Doctor/ Pharmacist)
- What is the medicine for?
- How am I supposed to take it ( before /after meals), and for how long?
- Are there any alternatives to medication?
- What if I miss a dose?
- What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur?
- Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines ( Both prescription and over - the - counter ) or dietary supplements I am taking?
- What food, drink or activities should avoid while taking this medicine?
- Do I need a repeat?
- How should I store the medicine?
- Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause. If you know what might happen, you will be better prepared. That way, you can report the problem right away, especially if something unexpected happens, and you can get help before it gets worse.
- When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it. If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either.
- When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask whether it is the medicine that your doctor prescribed.
- If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask. Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if "four doses daily" means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours.
- Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. Also, ask questions if you're not sure how to use it. Research shows that many people do not understand the right way to measure liquid medicines. For example, many use household teaspoons, which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid.
Adverse Drug reactions ( ADRs)
Adverse drug reactions are defined as harmful or seriously unpleasant effects of medicinal drugs that occur at normal therapeutic doses, requiring stopping the medication or dose reduction, and predict hazard from future administration.
Tips to help you avoid adverse effects
- Don't take medicine with alcoholic drinks.
- Don't take a higher dose of the medicine than the label tells you to. Also, dont take the medicine more frequently than suggested.
- Don't take the medicine longer than recommended on the drug label.
- Don't stir medicine into your food or take capsules apart (unless your doctor says it's okay). This may change the way the medicine works.
- If you don't understand something about the medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist about it.
- Make sure you know what ingredients the product contains and understand any warnings or possible adverse effects.
- Don't mix medicine into hot drinks unless the label tells you to. The heat may keep the drug from working as it should.
What are Over - the - counter medicines ( OTC)?
A number of medicinal drugs may be bought without a doctor's prescription. These are commonly called Over - the - counter ( OTC )medicines. OTC medicines are usually safe for alleviation of mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, cough and colds, joint or muscle pains, nausea and vomiting, headache ,minor allergies etc.
Facts to consider when using drugs issued from government Institutions
1. All should keep in mind that these drugs are supplied form expending about 14 Billion of public money and therefore should use drug appropriately by minimizing wastage and pilferage.
2. In most instances drugs are dispensed from bulk packs , therefore please make sure to use the drug for the time period as mentioned in the prescription. ( eg. For routine patients obtaining drugs from clinics normally prescribe drugs for one month period) Because when dispense drugs from bulk pack patient is not aware about the expiry date of the drug.
3. For drugs dispensing in a pack with expiry date , make sure it should be used before expiry.
4. Regarding any complain about drug (physically or therapeutically) inform relevant doctor who prescribe the drug. ( it is more acceptable if can inform it in writing)
5. Ensure use of the drug for prescribed period even though symptoms cure or not.
6. Ensure proper discard of unused expired drug.
7. Don't use the drugs given for your family members even though they have same symptoms.
8. Always store drug in proper way as information given from when it is dispensing.
9. Always keep all the drugs away from children.