Mouths full of Myths!

-


How could I possibly know what is a myth and what is not?  Especially when it comes to all these drugs!

You might be thinking what does this stressed out, no time having, anxiety-riddled nursing student know about my prescriptions??! Well to prove you wrong, I am here with my half a degree in nursing to expel some common myths everyone seems to believe are true regarding pharmacology. 

The following topics that I am going to discuss are going to make your brain explode. Just like you, I believed almost all of these were true too. So I decided to give you some fun facts about medicine to use for your next party pickup lines and perhaps even save your life! Let's get started! 

Soooo Can I Use The Leftover??

I am sure many of you have thought to yourself that if your family/friends used these antibiotics, it must be safe for you to use their leftovers right? That is actually false and incredibly dangerous. You should never take antibiotics that were leftover from past prescriptions or taken from any family/friends. You should only take antibiotics prescribed to you by your doctor. Why you may ask? Antibiotics that have expired are more likely to be harmful than helpful. The pill will not work as prescribed due to the spoiled ingredients inside. Another reason you should never take antibiotics that aren't yours is for that reason exactly. They are not yours! Antibiotics are prescribed specifically for the patient's needs. You may be allergic to someone else's prescription or it could not be the correct type for the infection you may have. Taking this medication that will not help will only cause resistance to the next batch you may receive. In my opinion, it seems best to just go to the doctor and get the correct medication! 

But Isn't Herbal Medicine Healthier?!

Did you know that herbal medicine is not better for you? In regards to medicine, choosing an herbal supplement over a prescription one may not be the best choice. According to the AMA, many herbal supplements do not undergo the same procedures and tests that prescription medication does. Therefore, they are not as trustworthy when it comes to helping solve the disease at hand. The ingredients in these herbal supplements can also react with the medications you were prescribed. So, next time you think about picking an herbal medication off the shelf, double-check if it's appropriate with your doctor! 

I Don't Need To Finish Them! I'm Fine!

In the past, I have definitely stopped taking medication before I was actually supposed to stop. I am sure you, me, and everyone else in the country thought that this was common and okay to do but that is not the case. Stopping your medication before the end date can lead to treatment failure, withdrawal effects, and even difficulty in treating your disease. When you don't finish a prescription, you may see that your infection or disease lasts longer than it already has. You may also see that your next prescription may be a stronger dose or longer treatment. In the case of antidepressants, you may notice withdrawals when stopping your medication. To avoid any adverse reactions or complications, you should always take your medications until the end of their course! 

In conclusion, I hope I have helped clear up some of your misconceptions about pharmacology, as well as show you I do know something about these pesky drugs! 

Until next time sugar! 

-Sugar Pill Rx

References

Mendelson, M. Professor of Infectious Diseases (n.d.). 7 myths about antibiotics. World Economic Forum. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/11/7-myths-about antibiotics/

American Heart Association. (n.d.). Medications: Myths versus facts. www.heart.org. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/medication-information/medications-myths-versus-facts

Heid, M. (n.d.). Why you shouldn't skip your medication. WebMD. Retrieved January 22, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/stop-skipping-medication


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Diabetic? Don't Fret It!

-
  Diabetes Management Needs More Than Just One Set of Eyes!  Since before I was born my father has struggled with diabetes. I have seen him try many different insulins and set reminders to give himself insulin shots. Countless times I have seen him prick his finger to take his blood glucose and I always wonder what I could do to help him. Today I might have found a simple suggestion to teach him (and all of you), that may just make his life a little easier.  Yes, you guessed it! I am talking about diabetic apps to help manage your diabetes at home!  Many times people think diabetes is a sole management job, but that is not the case. Having a second pair of eyes, or an app in today's case, can really help a diabetic stay on track and avoid episodes of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.  What Are These Apps and Where Can I Find Them? Among the most popular apps, there are "mySugr" and continuous glucose monitoring apps such as "Dexcom", "Freestyle Libre", an...
Read more

Accidents Happen!

-
Image
First Aid Should Be Your First Hand! Accidents are always bound to happen and what better way to be prepared than a first aid kit? You are probably thinking, well I have one that came with my car? If so, we are not talking about that one! Many prepackaged first aid kits do not actually have everything you need!  Today we will be talking about how to make a first aid kit from scratch and why these are better than store-bought first aid kits! Don't worry, I'll have a checklist of the items you'll need! Let's start getting crafty with our kits! What's missing?  Most store-bought first aid kits come with some bandages, bandaids, gauze, and alcohol wipes...sometimes you're lucky if you even get some antibacterial ointment. As you read this you're probably thinking this is true, but wha t more would you need? Well to tell you the truth, a lot! The best first aid kits are the ones you hand tailor to you and your family's ne eds.   Richard Bradley, MD, associate...
Read more

DING! DING! NEW NOTIFICATION!

-
Image
  How Often Do You Wish You Had A Doctor on Hand? What if I told you, you could have a doctor on hand? By hand, I mean on your phone! Like me, I am sure you have come upon a medical question and need an answer! One way to help you out is apps on your phone! There are many apps that are available at your fingertips that have wide databases of medical help!  Today I am here to inform you about the apps that can help you answer your medical questions and why they are a good add-on to your phone!  Why pick these apps? To begin with, apps are convenient and helpful. Many times you may need a quick response about a medication you are using. An example includes knowing that antibiotics make birth control ineffective, many people may not know this, and having the luxury of an app to tell you can be the difference between a bun in the oven or not. These applications also allow the patient and healthcare provider to interact, communicate and discuss concerns about medications or ca...
Read more