Medication Tips

Over the Counter and Prescription

Over the Counter medications should be taken as seriously as Prescription medications.

Doctors take time considering our options before they suggest medications to help us. The side effects of any medication are often more than a doctor can list in a medical visit and will typically mention what they feel might be the most important to mention. However; even a Primary Care Physician (PCP) will not know or understand all of their patients' health issues to know for certain what a person may also be a possible issue for their patients.

Serious side effects are not limited to prescriptions, as over the counter medications, medications that do not require prescriptions, side effects of even these at the wrong dose can lead to organ failure or death.

Ideally, before purchase of any medication, be aware of side effects, but even then, following the steps below is important. Each time a pill is taken unless taken daily, it is best to take the following precautions:

• Step 1: Find or Review complete listing of Side Effects
• Step 2: Determine Possible Conflicts of other Medication - Taking one, might require delay of another by two hour or longer.
• Step 3: Awareness of Minimum, Maximum Possible Dose, and Maximum Safe Daily Dose
• Step 4: Determine Dose
• Step 6: Assume 1 Glass of Water and some Food should be eaten / Confirm What is best
• Step 7: Review Complete Side Effects list Again
• Step 8: Note Time and Time you can or should take medication again.