Medication – Common Questions and Answers

Taking medication as prescribed is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of the drug. Through good routines, aids and dialogue with the doctor, medication can be facilitated, promoting one's own health. Nurse Isabel Eriksson, working within primary care in Stockholm, answers some common questions.

What should I consider when taking my medicine?

To achieve the desired effect of your medication, it is important to follow the dosage prescribed by the doctor. Many medications have a specific timeframe for their effects, emphasizing the importance of regular intake. Also, pay attention to whether your medication should be taken with or without meals. Some medications should be taken with meals, while others should not be taken during meals.

How can I facilitate my intake?

Medication organizers, pillboxes, and phone reminders, such as those provided by Dose Medbox, are very useful aids to keep track of which medications to take and when. Remembering to take medication with breakfast, lunch and dinner is often easy, but it can be more challenging to remember what to take in between. Ask your doctor which is the most important medication if you are taking several. For example, if you experience nausea during your intake, it may be good to take the most important medication first.

What happens if I forget to take my medication?

Forgetting to take medication can have both short-term and long-term consequences. Pain medication missed regularly can directly result in increased pain, leading to long-term issues. There are other medications that are titrated up, meaning the dose increases as needed, and if the titration is not followed, it can be difficult for the doctor to make an accurate assessment and evaluate the effectiveness. Again, various aids are excellent alternatives to avoid missing doses and to prevent double doses.

Can I stop taking my medication when I feel a good effect?

It is important to continue taking the medication as prescribed even if you feel a positive effect. It is common for people to think, "I feel good now, so I'll stop taking my medication because I no longer need it," but it is the medication that makes you feel good – unless there are external factors that allow you to lower your dose. However, this must always be done in consultation with your doctor.

I feel no effect from my medication, is something wrong?

Some medications have an onset time, meaning they begin to take effect within e.g. a week. My recommendation is to continue taking the medication and contact your doctor for further evaluation.