Antibiotics are the most commonly abused and neglected drug treatment.
Consequently – once the person feels well – he or she has the tendency to stop taking it, without the medical provider’s knowledge.
Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from spreading. But many mild bacterial infections get better on their own without using antibiotics.
Taking an antibiotic requires some proper precautions. The prescribed dose of a medicine or drug should be followed at a recommended time. It should be equally spaced throughout the day and taken at the same times each day. This helps to maintain a constant level of medicine in your body.
In most cases, you should not double the next dose of antibiotics if you’ve missed a dose. Taking a double dose of antibiotics will increase your risk of getting side effects.
Take your missed dose as soon as you remember or – if it’s nearly time for your next dose – skip your missed dose altogether.
If you find it difficult to remember to take your antibiotics, you may find some of these ideas useful:
* Combine taking your antibiotics with another daily activity, such as brushing your teeth or having a meal. There are some antibiotics that requires an empty stomach while some antibiotics should be taken after a heavy meal to avoid stomach upset. In this case, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist on what’s the right thing to do.
* After taking each dose, make a note in your diary or on your calendar.
* Set an alarm to remind you when your next dose is due.
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There are also compliance aids or boxes with labeled compartments that you can put your medicines in. It helps remind you to take your antibiotics at specific times of the day or on particular days of the week.
Always finish a course of antibiotics. Even if you start to feel better, finish the prescribed dose. If you don’t finish the course of treatment or missed several doses, the infection may return.
Also, this encourages you to develop some antibiotic resistance related to antibiotic abuse. The drug will also not be as effective the next time around that you’ll take it.
Remember, do not keep antibiotics you’ve taken in the past with a view to use them again if you’re unwell in the future. It doesn’t work that way at all.
Instead, seek the medical expert’s help for proper drug treatment.
Ana Williams is the health columnist for The Graham Star.