Providers at primary care clinics will often prescribe medications to help their patients manage all kinds of conditions. Advancements in medical science have made it possible to treat everything from depression to strep throat. Since all drugs have the potential to cause complications, though, follow your doctor’s orders explicitly. Here are just a few tips for taking new medication safely. 

Do:

Research the medication. 

Unfortunately, medication mistakes do occur. For example, a pharmacist may fill the prescription incorrectly. To ensure the drug you receive will treat the issue at hand, research it on your own. Look up the name, dosage, and appearance to confirm everything is in order prior to taking it. 

Fill the prescription at the same pharmacy. 

If you fill every prescription at the same pharmacy, it will reduce the chances of suffering a drug interaction because they will have a complete record of all the medications you are taking. A reliable pharmacist will cross-check every new prescription with their records to confirm the doctor did not make an error. 

Don’t:

Ignore any serious or surprising side effects. 

Your doctor should advise you of any likely side effects when prescribing a new medication. If they are more severe than anticipated—or you don’t remember discussing them—call your primary care clinic. Depending on the circumstances, the physician may want to see you right away. 

Devise your own dosage schedule. 

If you miss a dose, the best way to remedy the situation will depend on the medication in question. In some scenarios, doctors will instruct patients to take the missed dose as soon as they remember. In other situations, though, the best approach may be to double up on the next dose. Since life will undoubtedly get in the way, plan ahead by asking your doctor what to do in this scenario before leaving the primary care clinic. 

The friendly providers at Santiam Hospital are committed to helping each and every patient live life to the fullest. That means that in addition to prescribing medication to treat painful symptoms, they aim to diagnose a condition’s underlying cause so they can provide lasting relief. Serving patients throughout Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley area, their facilities include a primary care clinic, a family birth center, fully-equipped emergency rooms, and pharmacies. To explore all the services they provide, visit their website or call (503) 769-2175 to discuss your particular needs.