What to do with Your Medication

It is important to know what to do with your medication. The first thing to know is what medication you are taking and why you are taking it. If your doctor has not been clear enough, speak to your pharmacist when getting the prescription filled.

Next, you need to understand how important it is to finish the entire course of any medication prescribed by your doctor and to take it as instructed. Do not stop taking it just because you feel better. The entire course is needed to not only supress the symptoms but clear the disease. If you stop halfway, the cause of the disease will not have been dealt with and your symptoms may easily recur.

While you are on medication, it is vital to keep it out of reach of the inquisitive fingers of children. Children are unable to differentiate between medication and sweets. Their curiosity alone will often drive them to try the ‘sweets’ they see you taking every day. After all, in their minds the fact that you take it every day means it must be good – the same way they see sweets as ‘good’. Medication is prescribed for very specific illnesses and in very specific doses. Your child’s system is not strong enough to cope with dosages given to adults and the medication itself may be poisonous to their system. Make sure the medication is both out of reach and stored away safely.

If you have to travel with your medication and you may need it in an emergency, make sure it is within easy reach and that people you are travelling with are aware of your need and can administer the medication to you if you are incapable of doing it yourself. You may require a doctor’s letter if you are flying and need to have the medication with you on the airplane. Find out about this before you even book your ticket.

Did you know that a pharmacy will safely dispose of any medication or substance for you? Do not flush it down the toilet as this will poison the water system.

If you come across a packet or bottle with an unknown or known poison in, pack it carefully into a plastic bag and seal it tightly. This will ensure the substance will not spill out on your way to the pharmacy. Having the pharmacy dispose of your leftover or expired medication as well as other possibly poisonous substances will remove the risk of a child or a pet ingesting it accidentally. As the pharmacy follows strict disposal rules, you also protect the environment. Whatever you do, don’t take expired medication.

If you are unsure of how to handle or transport unused or expired medication, ask your pharmacist for advice.

We would like to take this opportunity to take thank all our Pharmacists for their continued dedication to the Lenmed Group.

The lenmed Group is a world-class chain of Private Hospitals that brings quality healthcare to communities across Southern Africa.

For more information please contact us.

Disclaimer: Any information contained here is merely a guideline. Always visit your healthcare practitioner for any health-related advice or diagnosis.