When dealing with chronic pain, there is a good reason to know how to properly use medication. So, before you pop the next pill, keep reading, so you can avoid these commonly made mistakes.
- — It is important to understand that the recommended doses on prescription and OTC medications are suggested for a reason. Doubling or tripling the dose could potentially spell serious trouble for your body and it might not be immediately evident. Just because it didn’t seem to harm you the first time you did it, doesn’t mean you should do it again. If you haven’t done it yet, don’t!
- — Don’t take it without knowing what it is. Even if the doctor has prescribed the medication for you – but especially if it is over the counter – take the time to learn a little bit about the drug and its possible interactions. If the doctor overlooked something, didn’t realize you were on another medication, or if you are just choosing a bottle off the shelf, you can run the risk of horrible drug interactions. In fact, some prescription drugs should come with warnings about possible food interactions.
- — Many people make the mistake of overlooking warning labels, especially those regarding not driving and not drinking while on the medication. Heed these warnings, as many medications can severely enhance alcohol’s effects and may cause sudden sleepiness, an unintended high, or foggy thinking, which are all dangerous on the road.
- — Finally, do NOT share prescription medications. While it might seem that you are doing the other person a favor, it can actually result in very bad circumstances for you and your friend or family member. Drugs can have bad interactions, cause allergic reactions, or affect other people differently than they do you. You don’t want to accidentally cause illness, serious medical problems, or worse.
For more safety tips, visit the full article.
Your safety is of our utmost concern, so if you have any questions about the medication prescribed to you by Interventional Pain Associates, please contact us for more information.
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