Being a prescribed a medication can be life changing, especially if it’s for a chronic ailment, disease, or health problem. Prescription drugs can help reduce pain, lower inflammation, and control a wide variety of issues that interfere with your daily life. But for prescription drugs to be as safe and effective as possible, they must be taken properly.
Unfortunately, many patients don’t follow the right steps when taking prescription medications. Common mistakes when taking a prescription drug include:
- Not following directions—Some drugs should be taken on an empty stomach, others with food. Some drugs should be taken twice a day, others only once. When you fill a prescription, you’ll see your doctor’s instructions on the packaging—follow them carefully to get the best results.
- Not being consistent—Many drugs are only effective if they are taken consistently over a long period. When patients regularly miss doses, the levels of the medications they need become lower in their bloodstreams, which reduces their effectiveness.
- Not telling the doctor about new symptoms or side effects—It’s important for patients to stay in touch with their doctors. When you take a prescription, report new side effects or potential complications. And never stop taking a prescription without consulting your doctor first, as doing so can be dangerous or even life-threatening.
Some patients take all the right steps and still get hurt. That’s often caused by a defective or dangerous medication. If you’re a victim of a drug injury, the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller want to help. Call today for a free consultation.