It’s really important to use medication safely and effectively. I have included a couple of useful tips from a recent article in the Weekend Argus, along with the rationale explaining why each safety measure is so important:
- Always store medication below 25?C in a dry, locked cabinet
Heat and humidity both have a negative effect on medication therefore don’t keep it in a bathroom.
- Stick to the prescribed dosage
Exceeding the recommended dosage may lead to high levels of the medicine in your blood stream or it may negatively affect the organ metabolising it. Remember that the dosage is determined by your weight.
- Complete every course of antibiotics
It takes time for the bacteria to be completely eradicated, so if you do not finish the course you may get an infection. The bacteria may also develop a resistance to the antibiotic if the course is not completed rendering it ineffective the next time around.
- Use a tympanic thermometer
It is quick and effective. Oral glass and mercury thermometers are potentially dangerous as the mercury is poisonous and could be swallowed if the thermometer breaks.
- Do not use expired medicines
Take them to your local pharmacist. Click here to find more about the responsible handling of medicine.
