I have been asked recently to help spread awareness about taking medication and medication safety By the American recall center (click here and it will take you to their recent post about Xarelto). I of course obliged (i am very honoured). Well here goes:
Medication I take – My medication has varied over the years from tablets like fluoxetine and Risperidone (which are antidepressants and anti physcotics) to tablets that i am on now which are pregabalin and melatonin. Pregabalin is usually used to treat epilepsy by controlling electrical activity in the brain, but they can also be used for extreme anxiety. This is what I take these tablets for. Melatonin on the other hand is used for sleeping. All plants animals and humans all produce melatonin (which is a hormone). In humans, we have a small gland inside the brain that creates and releases melatonin. This is what controlls our wake and sleep patterns. The tablet melatonin basically boosts the amount of melatonin created thus helping you fall asleep.
What side effects have I experienced – With Fluoxetine I developed a rash so I can’t have any medication that is similar to that now. With Risperidone I had a bit of a heart problem {long QT}. Infact the doctor was so worried about this that he insisted i had to have a ECG every month to keep a eye on my heart. My most recent side effect is balance issues. Each time my phsycologists ups the dosage of pregabalin, it takes about 3 or 4 days to get my balance in order. I keep walking into my mum for example when i go for a walk or i would fall going up the stairs because i have not judged the step correctly.
How i remember when to take my medication – my Mum. Basically if I forget to take my medication at the right time my mum reminds me. This as i have experienced is a great way to take your medication at the right time. If you are not very good at remembering to take your medication, make sure you either have someone there who can remind you or you can buy a sort of pill box. It is labeled with names of each day of the week. So what you can do is put your tablets into their correct compartment at the begining of the week,then you can see exactly what you have had during the day and what you have left. This will ensure you dont go over your prescribed amount also.
Advice for you.
1. Always make sure you find out the side effects of you medication. You will then know what to look out for.
2. Make extra sure you dont go over your prescribed limit. Double check your dosage before you take any medication. Its better to be safe than sorry.
3. Dont be nervous about speaking to your doctor. He is there to help.
4. Dont drink alcohol on any medication if it tells you not to on the information leaflet.
5. Keep all your medication away from children.
6. Always read the information leaflet that usually comes with it.
PLEASE SHARE THIS IF IT HELPED YOU, OR YOU THINK IT WILL HELP SOMEONE ELSE. THANKYOU.