Read these 4 Compliance Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Prescription tips and hundreds of other topics.
If you receive a prescription for an antibiotic it is important that you finish the entire course of pills even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking antibiotics before the course is through, the infection may still be present. You then run the risk of developing another infection. This second infection is usually harder to treat and may have developed some resistance to the antibiotic.
In general, pain medications should be taken on an "as needed" basis, as opposed to taking "a course" of medication. However, if you are post-op or have just had a procedure, most doctors recommend taking a pill even if you are not in pain yet, and to take it on a schedule for the first day to ward off any discomfort.
If the prescription states how many times per day to take it, divide that number by 24 (hours in a day) to determine the hourly interval between doses. For example: If the prescription says to take 1 pill 4 times a day, you will take 1 pill (24/4)= every 6 hours. In general you do not have to take medication around the clock unless your physician has intructed you to do so.
If you are on "maintenance " medications, in other words, medications that you'll need to take for the rest of your life, you should take them daily without interruption unless instructed otherwise by your physician. Be sure to order your refills well enough in advance so that you do not run out of pills. A good rule of thumb is to order a refill when you have a weeks worth left of pills.
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