If You Cant Remember if You Took Medication Should You Take It Again
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Even if you're the most organized person, you lot've probably missed a medication dose at least in one case. Considering life happens—sometimes pets get sick or a friend calls at the exact moment your pill alarm goes off. What exactly happens when you skip a dose is very dependent on the medication and how long the drug stays in your system.
In general, many maintenance medications remain in your bloodstream for a while. And then if yous miss a dose once in awhile (emphasis on once in a while—don't get in a habit), information technology's typically not a huge deal, since some of your last dose volition notwithstanding exist in your system.
Other meds—similar antibiotic treatments for infections—exit your bloodstream rapidly. So if you skip a dose, your condition could worsen or become harder to care for, or you might experience unpleasant side effects or complications. Read on to larn what to do if you forget to take your meds and how to avert slipping up in the future.
⚠️ Play information technology safe: If yous're ever confused most a prescription or what to do if you miss your meds, e'er contact your pharmacist or doctor.
You missed a dose—now what?
Once more, it depends on the medication you're on. Simply Danielle Berger, PharmD, a pharmacist who manages a Walgreens store in Charlotte, NC, recommends this general rule of thumb: If it'south merely been a few hours since your missed dose, get ahead and take it; then, pop your side by side pill as usual. If information technology's been more than than a few hours, hold off and take your next dose on schedule.
For case, say you need to popular a pill twice a day, in one case at viii a.yard. and again at eight p.m. If y'all realize you missed the morning time dose at eleven a.m., become ahead and take it. But if you realize you missed it late in the day (say at 3 p.m.), skip it—only have your eight p.chiliad. dose as usual. At present you're back on rail! Feel like your Rx might be an exception to this rule? Play it safe and contact your pharmacist.
Walgreens makes it easy to arrive impact: You can either telephone call your local store, or use their Pharmacy Chat* feature to connect with a pharmacist online, 24/7. "Even if the store is closed, you tin can go on our app [or website] and conversation with pharmacists," Berger notes.
To double up or not?
In general, Berger says to avoid doubling upwards on your medication fifty-fifty if you're certain you missed a dose. So for the case above, if y'all're supposed to take a detail prescription in the morn and at night, but you missed the forenoon dose, don't take ii pills at 8 p.k.
In that location's one (very important!) exception to this rule: birth control. Missing your daily pill could pb to big consequences—similar an unintended pregnancy. If you forget a dose and don't realize until the next day, Berger says to accept two pills at your usual time (instead of the usual single pill) and also use a redundancy grade of birth command for the next seven days. "Information technology's such a low dose of hormones per pill that you won't take side furnishings from doubling upward," Berger says. (Missed more than 1 dose? Consult bank check with your doctor or chemist about how to motion forward.)
Can't retrieve if y'all took your meds?
If it'south nearly time for your next dose, simply take information technology equally usual, says Berger. If you're feeling anxious or unsure of what to do, reach out to your doctor or chemist.
How to remember to accept your meds
Forgetting to take your Rx one time in a while is inevitable—simply in that location are things you can exercise to go along your meds height of mind. Try these simple tips:
1. Prepare upward reminders.
Use your telephone's or smartwatch'due south alarm function or calendar to set up reminders. Or download the Walgreens app and tap the pill-reminder feature. "Even when y'all have a locked screen on your phone, [the pill reminder] pops upwards and tells you to take your medicine," says Berger.
2. Pair information technology with another daily habit.
Put your morning medication that should exist taken with nutrient side by side to the cereal container. Or place nighttime pills by your p.m. face foam. Taking meds when y'all do other daily tasks will help you remember, says the American Health Association.
3. Use a pillbox.
Elementary yet constructive—get one printed with the days of the calendar week, Berger recommends. Load it up once a calendar week with all your medications, then you'll ever exist able to rails if you took the solar day's dose.
*Pharmacy Conversation: Pharmacy conversation is not intended for use in medical emergencies. If you are in need of immediate medical attention, contact your physician, poisonous substance control center or emergency medical professional. If you lot need to speak with a pharmacist for urgent matters, contact your local Walgreens pharmacist. The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Only available in English.
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Source: https://www.prevention.com/health/a31249628/missed-medication-protocol/
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