A patient who's taking their medication are often provided with instructions from their healthcare provider. Here are some instructions for those patients who is under medication:
1. Take what is only prescribed — Remember that your physician only limits your medicine for a reason. Taking too much beyond your prescription will put you at risk for drug/medicine overdose.
2. Take your medicine on time – some medicines requires to be taken at a specific time. Some can be taken after meals, some are before bedtime, and some are with hours of intervals. Timing is everything for every medicine this is to ensure that your body gets its maximum benefits. Taking it on a wrong time will lessen its efficacy and will put you at risk for drug resistance (in which your body can no longer respond to the medicine).
3. If confused about the use of medication, just ask your healthcare provider. — It is important that you have adequate knowledge about your medication, don't self-medicate and don't be that someone "who-knows-it-all" even though theg are not. Read all the labels and the instructions how to take it. Don't hesitate to ask. Remember, "Ligtas ang may alam."
4. If symptoms persist, STOP the medication and call your physician immediately — Note that not all medicines are perfect and sometimes it doesn't work. Some medicine might be contraindicated to you so it is important to call your physician so they will be able to change your course of medication.
5. Live healthy — of course, you shouldn't rely everything to the medicine. Live healthy! Start to live a healthy lifestyle, avoid vices like drinking alcohol and consuming cigarettes. Start to have a healthy diet plan and engage in daily physical activities.
I hope it helps!
