Keep taking the tablets
All the do’s & don’ts about pills and other medicines
DO I STILL HAVE TO FINISH MY COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS IF I FEEL BETTER? The advice has always been that you should finish the course. That’s because, even if you feel better, some of the bacteria may still be present and become resistant to the antibiotics if you stop too early.
It means the antibiotic would not help if you needed it again in the future.
However, a report published in the British Medical Journal last week called this into question, saying there’s no evidence to support this.
It claimed that taking antibiotics when you feel well may have the opposite effect and actually increase antibiotic resistance. So what should you do? The Royal College of GPs say the old advice shouldn’t be changed based on one report and that it’s still safer to finish your prescribed course.
CAN I TAKE PILLS WITH FRUIT JUICE? No. Recent research has found that fruit juice and medications don’t mix.
A few years ago, doctors discovered that drinking grapefruit juice affects the way certain blood pressure medications work.
Studies have since found that more than 40 different drugs can have their effects magnified by this citrus juice – with potentially dangerous results.
Now the story has become more complicated as orange juice and apple juice also seem to interfere with some medications.
Depending on the drug you’re taking, the effects of your pills could either be reduced or increased.
The message? If you take your pills first thing in the morning, stick to water to wash them down.
DO I HAVE TO AVOID ALCOHOL WHEN I’M ON ANTIBIOTICS? Many people believe this is the case but it’s actually safe to drink alcohol in moderation when taking most antibiotics. The original advice to avoid alcohol was actually intended to stop people getting drunk and spreading their infection around.
The one exception is if you’re taking metronidazole – a strong antibiotic used to treat conditions including dental abscesses, leg ulcers and bone infections. In this instance, combining the two can cause vomiting, stomach cramps and headaches.
A few other medicines, including some used to treat high blood pressure, also shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol as it can cause blood vessels to dilate further.
Always check the leaflet – or ask your pharmacist.
WHAT’S THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO TAKE ACID REFLUX MEDICINE? The general advice on protonpump inhibitors (PPIs) used to be to take them 30 minutes before your first meal of the day.
However, a recent study by the University of Kansas found the drugs were more effective against acid reflux when taken in the evening.
The research suggested this could be because the drug will act throughout the night, when heartburn can be exacerbated by lying in bed.
The conclusion was that before your evening meal is probably the best time to take your medication, particularly if you suffer at night.
Alternatively, you could try splitting your daily dose, taking half in the morning and half in the evening, to keep symptoms at bay at all times. But check with your GP first.
WHAT’S THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO TAKE MY HEART PILLS? Taking blood pressure tablets at night appears to better control hypertension and could reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke by a third, according to recent research.
It’s also now recommended that cholesterol medicines are taken at bedtime instead of first thing in the morning.
A study at the University of Sunderland found that when patients taking a common statin switched from evening to morning, there was a significant increase in “bad” cholesterol levels.
Experts think this may be because most cholesterol is produced at night, while we’re not eating.
CAN IT BBE DANGEROUS TO MIX MEDICINES? Yes, it can be. The cardinal rule when you’re getting a new medicine from your GP or pharmacist is to inform them of all the other medicines you’re taking, as it may not always be clear from the notes.
Some drugs work at the same
sites in the body and, if given together, can compete with each other, reducing – or sometimes increasing – the effect of one or both.
For example, beta-blockers can stop some inhalers working and bring on an asthma attack.
To avoid accidental overdoses, it’s also important to remember that some over-the-counter cold remedies or strong painkillers contain more than one drug.
For example, many have paracetamol along with other active ingredients, so you could double up without realising. You must never exceed the recommended dose of paracetamol – one gram every four to six hours, with a maximum of four doses in 24 hours. So always make sure you read the labels. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH LEFTOVER PILLS I NO LONGER NEED? Never stockpile unused or out-of-date medication, because keeping them around the house runs the risk of them being accidently taken by you or another family member.
But don’t just throw them in a bin where children could find them.
Pharmacies are obliged to tack back unwanted medicines from patients for safe disposal, so clear out that cabinet today. IS IT OK TO TAKE HERBAL PILLS AT THE SAME TIME AS MY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION? It’s a common mistake to think that all herbal products and pills must be safe because they’re “natural”. But all medicines have risks and benefits – and herbal medicines are no exception, with some affecting the way prescription medications work. For example, St John’s wort, taken for low mood, can interact with the blood-thinning drug warfarin and impair its anti-clotting function. It can also reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill. So, once again, it is important to check with a pharmacist if you’re unsure.