6 Things to Know About Prescription Medication
Prescription medications are usually required when one cannot treat an illness with over the counter medication. Prescription medications are prescribed by a patient’s doctor and their use is highly specific according to the patient. A prescription contains precise details in regards to dosage and instructions due to the danger of misusing the drugs. Here are some tips for you when going to the pharmacy to get your prescriptions filled:
- Mornings are the best time to get prescriptions filled.
You will save time if you get your prescription filled in the morning because pharmacies are generally less busy earlier in the day. Pharmacists will have more time to counsel you on how to properly take medication during less hectic hours.
- Ensure you know your medical history and it is accurate.
This is a vital step because both your pharmacist and your family physician should have access to accurate medical information to provide you with medication that is safe for you.
- Double check that the medication you receive corresponds to the original prescription.
It may be hard to read a doctor’s handwritten prescription, so it is advisable to make sure that the medication you are receiving matches the original prescription your doctor wrote.
- Take safety precautions if there are children in your household.
Keep medication out of reach of your children at all times. Pharmacies also offer child-resistant lids to fend off curious children.
- Make sure you are getting the right dosage.
Ensure that you receive the appropriate measuring equipment, especially when receiving a liquid medication. It is not advisable that you rely on the volume of your teaspoon at home or estimating the amount of medication you need.
- Ask about how to store your medication safely.
Find out how your medication is to be stored. Leaving it in a bathroom cabinet is a common habit, but unsafe in most cases. This is due to the increased humidity and heat in the bathroom, which has a tendency to break down the ingredients in medication.
Author
Dr. Paul Zickler is a graduate of the University of Wester Ontario in 1972. After graduating from the faculty of medicine, Dr. Zickler practiced as an Emergency Physician for 18 years. He has then operated ambulatory medical and travel clinics for 12 years. Dr. Zickler has become an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of British Columbia, a Director of Professional Programs for the Justice Institute of British Columbia (paramedic academy), a principal investigator for Phase 2 and 3 studies researching vaccines, and a founding member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association. Dr. Zickler is passionate about combining western prescription medicine and natural medicines.
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