8 Common Medication Myths

BUSTED!!!

By Jijien and Jen Nee

Edited by Sue Fern and Ai Ven

Myth No. 1

If my pain or discomfort persists or worsen, it’s okay to take more than the prescribed dose.

It is recommended to inform your doctor or pharmacist about your condition and let them revise your medication that you are taking instead of taking more than the prescribed dose. Overtaking your prescribed dose may lead to dangerous consequences such as liver or kidney damage.

For example, paracetamol or acetaminophen are regularly found in prescriptions and bought as over-the-counter (OTC) medication to reduce fever and pain. The maximum daily dose of paracetamol for adults is 4000mg, a maximum of 8 tablets per day (paracetamol is commonly found in 500mg per tablet in the market). Normally, patient will be advised to take 1-2 tablets three to four times a day, depending on their condition. This indicates patient might be prescribed with maximum daily dose of paracetamol already. Therefore, patient is at risk of overdosing if he/she takes extra paracetamol tablets.

Myth No. 2  

Once I feel better, I should stop taking my long termed prescribed medication.

You should never stop taking your long termed prescribed medication, unless you are advised to do so by your doctor. Sometimes, the alleviation in symptoms does not mean the illness has been resolved, especially for high blood pressure. In fact, you need to continue your blood pressure medication despite your blood pressure being normalised to healthy range. You might experience that your blood pressure reading remained in the healthy range even when you have forgotten to take the medicine for a certain day. This is because there are still some drug effect remaining in your body to control the blood pressure. However, your blood pressure will raise up to a dangerous level (>150/90 mmHg) if your stop your medication without consulting your physicians. In fact, uncontrolled high blood pressure may cause harmful complications such as stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.

There are also some medications that require tapering of the dose over time in order to prevent any adverse effects associated with premature drug termination.  For example, the proton pump inhibitors, namely omeprazole (Losec) and esomeprazole (Nexium), which is used to suppress the production of stomach acid, so stopping them abruptly may cause the stomach condition to rebound and overproduce acid.

Myth No. 3

It is not important for me to inform the health care professionals on what supplements that I am taking.

It is very important for you to tell the health care professionals about all the supplements including herbs and vitamins that you are taking. There is risks of your supplements having drug interactions with the medicines prescribed by your doctor. Most of the supplements are not labeled with complete safety warnings on their packing and it is difficult for consumers to realise if there is any interaction occur.

For example, some people take ginkgo biloba for improve blood circulation and enhance memory. However, ginkgo biloba has been reported to increase the risks of bleeding. Hence, it might cause bleeding in people who is taking blood thinner, such as aspirin and clopidogrel. Thus, you may need a dose adjustment done by your doctor to take both the medication and supplement safely.

Myth No. 4

I can store my medications anywhere I want, be it in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in the car as long it is easily accessible for me.

Most of the medications need to be stored in a cool and dry place.

Placing them in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink can ruin the medication as these places tend to be damp while placing the medications in the car is a bad idea as the car can get too hot if placed under the sun for a long time.

There are some medications that must be placed away from the lights (or in dark areas) as it may affect the effect of the medication. One of the reason is that it will affect the stability of your medications.

Myth No. 5

It doesn’t matter  how I take my medication (chew, crush or take with any liquid) as long it gets into my stomach.

If you think that you can take all your medications and paired it up with your favourite drinks such as coke, milk, chinese tea or fruit juice to avoid the bitter taste, THINK TWICE!!!  

Every medication has its own specific pH and are only able to work in its natural environment. Taking it with liquids other than water may lose the efficacy of the drug.

It is not wrong that most of you assume that by chewing or crushing the medication, they can be absorbed faster due to its smaller surface area in the body. However, little do you know, some medications have a specific outer coating to protect it from being dissolved in your stomach as it is meant to be dissolved in other areas of your body for a better absorption. Hence, do not simply crush or chew your medication unless indicated by the manufacturer or advised by the doctor or pharmacist.

Myth No. 6

I can share my medications with all my family members if they are having the same symptoms as mine because sharing is caring.

Never ever share your prescribed medication, especially antibiotics, with anyone, be it your kids, family or friends. You must finish your whole course of antibiotics by yourself or antibiotic resistance may occur. ( Please refer to our ‘Myths of Antibiotics’ article for more elaborations.)

As for your prescribed medication, it is definitely a NO-NO as every patient’s condition is different. Always visit the doctor if you uncomfortable and never self-diagnose even though your symptoms are similar with your friends or family as different illnesses may posses similar symptoms.

If you are sharing the common over the counter medications, always understand and be aware of the ingredients contained in the medication. Some medication will have interactions to your current medication condition and you may not be aware of it.

If you are unsure of anything, always consult your pharmacist or doctor so that they are able to provide a suitable medication for your condition.

Myth No. 7 

I can still consume any expired medication as long it is being kept in the refrigerator.

Although some claimed that expired medication can still be consumed after 6 months from the expiry date, it is always advisable not to as the medication might lost its effectiveness. Some medications such as certain eye drops should be discarded after opening for 1 month to prevent contamination, let alone using it after the expiry date, while some eye drops such as Allergo-COMOD® can last for 3 months.

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So, get a new supply of medication for goodness sake!!! Why risk your health to prevent wastage??

Myth No. 8

My over the counter medications (for adults) can be shared with my child as long as I halved my normal dose.

Not all medications that are suitable for adults can be consumed by children as well. In fact, some medications are contraindicated among children below 12 years old and taking it may be placing their lives at risk.

Always consult your pharmacist when you are purchasing over the counter medications. It is important to inform the pharmacist details such as the person taking medication, the patient’s medical condition and allergies so that they are able to recommend the best choice for you and your child.