Introduction

“Medicines are nothing in themselves but are the very hands of god if employed with reason & prudence.” (Herophilus, 300 B.C.). Medicines can ease life by making it more longer and healthier. On the other hand, unjustifiable use of these medicines may make a person sicker leading to increased morbidity and decreased quality of life. As per WHO, over half of the medicines prescribed, dispensed and sold are inapt which, further, the patients take them in an inappropriate way. Therefore, one needs to be careful while monitoring and taking medicines.[1]

Definitions:

Medicine or Drug:- These include prescribed medications, OTC pills (Over-the-Counter) or the vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies etc.

Rational use of Medicine:- Patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of time, and at the lowest cost to them and their community (WHO, 1985).[2]

Side-effect - Unwanted or unexpected symptoms or feelings that occur after taking medicine.[3]

Common irrational uses of medicines are:-

• Use of multiple medicines per patient(poly-pharmacy).
• Incorrect use of antimicrobials, usually insufficient dosage
• Injections overuse, even when oral dosage may suffice.
• Improper self-medication, especially in cases of prescription-only pills
• Not taking medicines as prescribed.
• Fault in prescribing medication as per clinical guidelines.

Reasons

• Poor communication between patient and health professional.
• Limited diagnostic facilities like laboratories.
• Inadequate knowledge of medicines and faulty training of health practitioners.

Safe use of medicines [4]

• Keep a list of all medicines you take.
• Note down the amount and time of day of medication.
• Keep all medicines in a box and away from children reach.
• Store medicines as needed, as some medicinesmay need to be stored in cool and dry place.
• Take medicines as prescribed by your doctor. For instance, the prescribed time, dosage, empty stomach, with water or milk, duration or days etcetera.
• Try taking medicine as soon as you take it out of the packing.
• Let your doctor know all your medication/ medical history in order to avoid any unwanted drug interactions or side effects.

Some Questions Answered:-

Q. What to do if I miss a dose of medicine?

A. Take the medicine as soon as you remember it.

Q.What does it mean to take medicine empty stomach?

A. Taking medicine empty stomach refers to taking your pill 2 hours before you eat or 2 hours after you eat.

Q. I feel uneasy after taking medicine and sometimes I feel not taking it. What should I do?

A. You should talk to your physician about the problem as this may be concerned with side- effects of medicines.

Q. I have been taking the same medication for many years but I feel that it is not working as usual. Should I be concerned?

A. If you are aging, your body is going through changes. Your body/ muscle tone gets lost and also the liver and kidneys may not metabolise the drug at normal pace. This indicates that the aging process alters the functioning of a medication. You should refer your physician as it might be time to change the medicine.

Q. Should I stop taking medication in case I start feeling better?

A. You must take medication for the prescribed period and then consult your doctor before you stop taking it, especially in cases of antibiotics.

Q.I do not understand the abbreviations written on doctor’s prescription as when and how many times I should takemedicine. What should I do?

A. Here is the list of most common prescription abbreviations which may be helpful in your medication routine:[5] [6]

You and your pharmacist [7]

Your pharmacist can help in making sure that you get safe, quality and affordable medicine duringyour treatment by providing right advice about the dosesand the proper use of prescribed drug.

Pharmacist can also play a great role in controlling antibiotic resistance due to improper use or self-medication through proper advice to consumers who are not so careful about medicines.

Ask Your pharmacist about the side effects and usage of medicine while purchasing over the counter drugs(OTC)which will also be helpful in prevention of unintended drug interactions. In India, pharmacists are one of the major participants in achieving the goal of ‘Healthy India’.

References:-

1. https://www.who.int/medicines/areas/rational_use/en/
2. http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Jh3011e/1.html
3. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/medicines-common-questions-answered
4. https://order.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2019-01/Safe-Use-of-Medicines_508.pdf
5. https://pharmacyfunblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/kd-tripathi-essentials-of-medical-pharmacologyunitedvrg-2013.pdf
6. https://www.drugs.com/article/prescription-abbreviations.html#abbrtable
7. http://ijpsnonline.com/Issues/3151_full.pdf