Taking Your Medicine

Medication can alleviate pain, slow the progression of disease and save lives. But to do so, it must be taken and administered correctly.

"After making sure you're taking the right medication for your symptoms or condition, making sure you're taking or applying it correctly is the most important step you can take to speed your healing and reduce the risk of side effects and interactions," says Gretchen Toler, M.D., a doctor of internal and preventive medicine at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas.

The following guidelines can help you take your medications in the safest, most beneficial way:

Oral medications

These medications come in many forms, including pills, tablets, capsules and liquids, and are used to treat a variety of conditions. To use them safely:

• Take them with plenty of water -- at least 8 ounces -- to help absorption. Taking such medications while standing or sitting upright will keep them from getting stuck in your throat. Try not to take medications within twenty minutes of lying down for bedtime.  Pills may remain in the esophagus and cause problems.

• Never crush or break a long-acting or extended-release tablet before taking it. "Chewing or breaking open these pills or capsules can cause the medication to be released into your system too quickly," says Dr. Toler.

• Chew chewable tablets thoroughly and wash them down with water.

• Don't take medications with coffee, tea or other hot beverages. Doing so can reduce the effectiveness of many medications.

• To take a medication on an empty stomach, take it at least one hour before eating, or two or three hours after eating.

Topical medications

These medications are applied directly to the skin and are used to treat rashes and other skin irritations. To use them safely:

• Follow frequency instructions carefully. "Applying a topical medication more or less often than directed can delay treatment or cause side effects," says Dr. Toler.

• Don't use more or less of a medication than instructed. Always wash your hands before and after applying topical medications.

• Spray your skin from a distance of about six inches when applying a spray medication. Shake the container well before spraying.

Eye medications

These medications usually come in drop form and are used to treat infections, irritations and other conditions. To use them safely:

• Wash your hands before applying.

• Lie down or sit before applying the medication to avoid losing your balance.

• Shake eye drops before applying them. Tilt your head back and gently pull down your eyelid by drawing down the skin below it or pinching the skin directly under the lower lid to form a pocket. Squeeze the drops behind the lower eyelid.

• Avoid touching the eyedropper to any part of the eye, skin or fingers.

• Close your eye for one or two minutes after applying medication.

Nasal medications

These medications come in drops, sprays, ointments and aerosols and are used to treat a variety of conditions. To use them safely:

• Never share them.

• If congested, gently blow your nose before administering them.

• Wash your hands before and after applying them.

Ear medications

These medications come in liquid form and are used to treat infections and other conditions. To use them safely:

• Wash your hands before and after applying them.

• Shake the bottle before using it.

• Don't touch the dropper to your ears, skin or fingers.

• Tilt your head sideways so the ear canal faces the ceiling.

• After applying the medication, hold your head in the same position for several minutes to let the medication absorb into the ear.