Tag Archives: medications

The Importance of Not Skipping Taking Your Medications

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Anyone who has ever taken a prescription medication has probably missed taking a dose. On some occasions the reason is as simple as forgetting, on other instances it may be intentional.  Whether accidental or on purpose, it’s important to know the implications of failing to take your medications and what you should do if you miss a dose.

Depending on the medication, skipping a dose or multiple doses can have a major impact on your health as many medications won’t be effective if you don’t take them when and the way they are supposed to, especially if you miss multiple doses.

Some of the consequences can include:

  • Missing Your Window – Some pain medications work best if you treat the symptoms before they begin. Failing to address the symptoms early on may result in difficulty suppressing potential flare-ups. This is especially true for medications intended to treat arthritis and other auto-immune disorders.
  • Treatment Might Not Be Effective – In instances where antibiotics are necessary to treat an infection, failing to take a full dose of your prescribed medications can cause an infection to linger or even come back stronger. Incomplete treatments may also make you resistant to antibiotics in the future.
  • You May Experience Withdrawal – If you miss a dose of your medication or stop taking it altogether, it can trigger chemical changes in your brain, which can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and flu-like symptoms.
  • Lead To Complications – If you don’t take your medications to treat hypertension, it could increase your likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke. If you fail to take your diabetes medications, it can increase your chances for kidney disease or blindness.

You should speak with your physician or pharmacist about what to do if you miss a dose or multiple doses of your medication. The answer could depend on the type of medication you are taking, the dosage, and how frequently you take it.

The retail pharmacy at Flushing Hospital is staffed with experienced pharmacists to help you with any questions about your medication adherence plan. To talk to a pharmacist, please call 718-353-3160.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

How Can Your Pharmacist Help You Manage Your Care?

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Managing your health requires a team approach. Many different healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and various specialized technicians all participate in your care, but one member of that team who plays a significant role in your treatment is often overlooked and underutilized; your pharmacist.

Many people view their local pharmacist as only a person who dispenses their medications, but your pharmacist is an active member of your healthcare team.  They are a valuable resource to answer questions about your medications and offer helpful tips. In addition, patients have many more interactions with their pharmacist than they do with their doctor each year, so why not take advantage of their expertise?

Here are a few ways your local pharmacist can help you:

  • Information on side effects – Information about potential side effects on medication labels can often be confusing and overwhelming. Your pharmacist can explain which side effects are most common and outline who is most at risk for developing them.
  • Scheduling your medications – Your pharmacist can help you map out a schedule for when to take your medications. This can be especially helpful if you are taking multiple prescriptions. The effectiveness of certain medications can be minimized when taken simultaneously with others. Some medications can also work better if taken at certain times of day or with or without food.
  • Consequences for missing a dose – While skipping your regular dose of medication is not recommended, it is not always a cause for concern.  How to deal with this type of situation depends on the medication and why it is being taken. Your pharmacist can explain how to handle this problem if and when it occurs.
  • Storage Instructions – Properly storing your medications will greatly impact their effectiveness. Be sure to ask your pharmacist how to store them. Most medications should be kept at room temperature with low humidity. Some however, need to be refrigerated.

When choosing a pharmacist, make sure he or she will take the time to answer all your questions. If you do not have a pharmacist, Flushing Hospital has a retail pharmacy located in the lobby of the Medical Science building. Our staff will take the time to ensure that you have a full understanding of how to take your medications to ensure you properly manage your health. For more information about our pharmacy service, please call 718-353-3160.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.