| Medication |
| Is medication safe? |
| |
Before any type of medication can
be sold in Britain, it needs to pass rigorous safety checks to
make sure that it is suitable for use. The Medicines and Healthcare
products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates the safety aspects
of medicines and investigates side effects arising from them.
However, all medications still have the potential to cause adverse
effects if they are used in conditions or by people for whom they
were not intended, or if they are taken in excess.
Some medication is available on a doctor's prescription only, while
others can be bought over the counter. In either case, misuse of
medication may be dangerous to your health. |
|
|
| How and when should medicine be taken? |
| |
Always follow the instructions carefully. Some types
of medication must be taken at regular intervals, while for others
this is less important. In some instances, the medicine should
be taken before, during or after a meal or snack. All medication
should come with instructions that will explain the correct dosage
and use. This information must be read prior to taking the medication.
If you are uncertain about how to take your medicine ask your doctor
or pharmacist for advice. |
|
|
| Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking medication? |
| |
It is important to be aware of the following information
about alcohol and its effects when taking any form of medication. |
|
|
| |
| • |
Drowsiness caused by certain medications is
made worse by alcohol. Therefore, alcohol should not be consumed
while taking medication with this side effect. This will be
stated on the label. |
|
| • |
Medication administered to combat alcoholism can cause
severe reactions if consumed at the same time as even very
small amounts of alcohol. |
|
| • |
Even if it is indicated that the medication does not cause
drowsiness or react negatively to alcohol, everyone should
be careful about drinking alcohol when they are ill. |
|
|
|
|
| Is it safe to drive while taking medication? |
| |
Some medication, such as sedatives, strong painkillers
or antihistamines (commonly taken for allergies, hay fever or nettle
rash), can cause drowsiness and may therefore affect your ability
to drive. Other medicines may have an effect on your vision, hearing
or concentration, which may also affect your ability to drive.
Always read the information leaflet provided with your medicine
to see if it may affect your ability to drive. As a general rule,
be careful about driving while taking any medication and always
check with your doctor or pharmacist as to whether it is safe to
drive. Newer antihistamines are, for example, much less sedating
than older types, so a change of medication may reduce drowsiness. |
|
|
| Is it safe to take several types of medicine at the same time? |
| |
When taking several kinds of medication at the same
time it is important to be aware of the following. |
|
|
| |
| • |
One medication can change the way another medication
is carried in the blood. This may have an impact on how effective
a particular medication is at fighting the condition for which
it was prescribed. |
|
| • |
The way in which one medication is broken down by the body
can be altered by another type of medication. This can have
a positive or negative effect on the body. |
|
| • |
If medicines that can have similar side effects are taken
together, there may also be a chance that the side effects
will be additive |
|
|
|
|
| |
Always check which medications can be taken together. |
|
|
| |
| • |
Your GP should be informed about any medication
you are currently taking, as this information will be considered
when prescribing new or additional medication. |
|
| • |
Over-the-counter or prescribed medication, even vitamins
or herbal remedies, may interfere with each other. Ask your
pharmacist or doctor for advice. Always let your pharmacist
and doctor know about all the medicines you are taking - including
herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines |
|
|
|
|
| What are the possible side effects? |
| |
Medication may cause reactions that were not intended.
These are known as side effects. Possible side effects are mentioned
in the instructions that come with the medication, although the
majority do not last long and are not a serious risk to health.
If a medication carries a high risk of serious side effects, you
will be informed of this at the time it is prescribed.
Nobody can predict whether a person will experience side effects, so it is
vital for you to inform your GP or pharmacist if there is any unusual
reaction. If this happens, it may be necessary to stop taking the
medication and try a different form of treatment. Your GP will
be able to advise you whether the side effects outweigh the benefits
of the medication. |
|
|
Peter Scott - Team Leader
