Myth: You can take expired medications
The shelf life of medications is the time during which the drug retains its quality and effectiveness as intended by the manufacturer. This is important to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment.
It is often thought that the expiration date is indicated on the packaging in excess so that the drug lasts longer. However, it is not. The shelf life of the drug is indicated taking into account its chemical composition and stability. Using the drug after the expiration date may be hazardous to health, as it may lose its effectiveness and become a source of unexpected adverse reactions.
What happens if you take a medicine that has expired, be it a month or a year? Equally dangerous. The therapeutic effect may not be achieved, and adverse reactions may increase, which can lead to serious health consequences. Therefore, it is important to always monitor the expiration date of medications and not use them after this date has expired.
If the information on the package is illegible and there is no other way to find out the expiration date, it is better to refrain from taking this drug and consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Myth: It doesn’t matter what time you take your medications
The basic rule for taking all medications is the correct frequency of use. Incorrect or incorrect use may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine or even cause unwanted side effects.
If the drug is intended to be taken once a day, it is important to take it at the same time every day, and not at random times during the day. Typically, such drugs are gradually absorbed into the blood, so it is important to maintain regular dosage.
When taking tablets twice a day, it is necessary to maintain an interval of 12 hours (for example, taking them at 8 am and 8 pm). If taking the drug three times a day is recommended, the interval is reduced to 8 hours. Even distribution of tablet intake over time plays a key role, and only minor deviations of 1-2 hours are acceptable.
In addition, if medication is associated with food intake, this should be taken into account. Drugs that are recommended to be taken “before meals” may be poorly absorbed if taken with meals or with gastric juice. If the instructions indicate taking “after meals”, this should also be taken into account. Some components of medications are not recommended to be taken on an empty stomach, as this may adversely affect the gastric mucosa.
Following these simple rules will help speed up the healing process and make the most of your medications. Take care of your health with the correct use of medications!
