First of all, ask yourself, what’s the reason or rather the purpose of you taking the medication? You need to know all the facts so that you can make an informed choice. This is very important as it will help you to make a good decision before taking any drug. Sometimes it’s hard to make a decision, for instance, if you are dealing with a mental health problem like depression, knowing the right medication can be difficult. However, health practitioners provide information about your medication. Below are things to know about medication before agreeing to take it.
- Side effects. All medicine has effects in our body. Normally after taking medicine, we expect a positive outcome but at times side effects arise, for example, some medicine has a side effect of taking a lot of water, tuna Kush may lead you to sleep. At any time before taking medicine you need to discuss the side effects with your health professional. Some side effects are not noticeable and this may cause severe consequences.
- Relations. You need to know how a medicine relates or interacts with other medicine when taken in combination. If you have been taking other medicines, then your health practitioner should inform you on the medicine to take. How medicine relates to each other may alter the effects of the medicine and probably changes how the medicine works or even change its side effects.
- Food factor. Food and drinks may greatly affect the effects of the medicine. You need to know the right food to take when taking certain medications. In addition, taking medicines after a meal helps in the absorption of the medicine. Generally, a little bit of food is enough when taking medication after eating. Medical practitioners recommend you to eat first before taking any medication as this reduces the risk of some adverse effects like an upset stomach.
- Time and other factors. It is good to know when it is right to take medication. Bedtime maybe the best. Medications like cholesterol work more effectively at bedtime, hence this is the right time for them, to be given. Consistency is key in medication and should be observed. In addition, some medications require positioning when taking them, for example, potassium, health practitioners suggest that after taking the medication you should remain upright for a minimum of thirty minutes.
Other information that may be important to know about your medication is how it’s made. In order to trust the medication, you should know where it comes from. Check out the infographic below for information on the long journey that your medicine takes—from research to patient!
Sometimes honesty is key for the good of all. You need to be honest with your health professional so that he/she can give you the right medication. Everyone likes being healthy hence honesty matters.
