Why does your medication dose matter? This week’s blog will help you learn about why you have been prescribed a specific dosing and why you should take your dosing serious. Burt’s Good Neighbor Pharmacy shines light on what your medication dosing means and the importance of taking it exactly as it has been prescribed.
What All Is Calculated to Get a Correct Dosing?
There are 3 things that your physician calculates to decide how to prescribe the correct dosage. Your dosing depends on your body weight, metabolism, and age.
Body weight – The amount a person weighs influences the dosage given. If someone is larger, their dosage will be higher to ensure the medicine effects their whole body. Therefore, a person who is young or small will receive a smaller dosage.
Metabolism – The speed of one’s metabolism and how fast their body processes and clears medications in the body influences the dosage given.
Fast metabolism: Take longer or more frequent doses to have an effective level of the drug.
Slow metabolism: Take shorter and less frequent doses for the drug to be effective.
Age – Finally, your age can influence the dosage given. For older people, they usually have a slower metabolism, and their dosage may be lower. Although children have faster metabolisms, they are also smaller, and both those factors are taken into consideration when deciding on their dosage amount.
Since there are many factors for physicians to take into consideration for a correct dosage, there can be issues that arise with incorrect evaluation. If this is the case and your prescription is not proving to be effective, let your physician know.
3 Big Reasons Why Your Dosing Matters
Overdosing – Medication can work properly if it is taken in it’s correct dosing amount. However, if you go outside of the suggested dosing amount and take more than required, this could set you up for major health complications. This rule also applies for over the counter (OTC) medication such as Tylenol and Aspirin. If you or someone you know overdoses on prescription or OTC medication, then quickly seek medical advice.
Speed of Action – If a prescription instruction reads “take twice a day”, this does not mean you can take two pills at the same time and forget about your medication the rest of the day. Some drugs are going to take various lengths of time to have an effect on you. Not taking the dosage correctly, can result in you not having any effect from the medicine you are taking.
Underdosing – Underdosing is not as dangerous as overdosing can be, but it has its issues as well. Physicians prescribe you a certain dose of medication to successfully accomplish the task it was supposed to do. Taking less than the suggested dose could make the drug ineffective.
Liquid Medication
If you are taking a liquid medication, then you should try your best to use an oral syringe to measure out the dosage. Using a kitchen spoon will not give you accurate measurements and could lead to under dosage or an overdose.
Accidentally overdosing on your medication can lead to serious health issues. Immediately call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-8000-222-1222 for advice and help.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to help kill bacteria that could cause infections and diseases. Did you know that antibiotics are prescribed with a specific dose that is high enough to fully kill the infection in your body? This prescription must be taken for the full course outlined by your physician. You may start feeling better before the course is finished and decide to stop taking it early. This action is not recommended because not all the bacteria has been killed which can lead to the remaining bacteria multiplying and making you sick again.
Always take your prescriptions as prescribed by your physician and ask questions if you are confused by your prescription.
Tria Health Can Help
Tria Health is a no cost benefit available through select members’ health plans. Tria Health’s Pharmacy Advocate Program offers one-on-one, private consultations with a Tria Health Pharmacist. During your consultation, your pharmacist will review all your current medications, including vitamins and supplements. Tria Health will assist you in identifying any possible drug interactions or savings opportunities! Your pharmacist will work with you and your doctor(s) to ensure the intended outcomes from your medications are being received.
Questions?
Contact the Tria Health Desk at 1.888.799.8742
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