Medicines

Medicines are powerful tools — when used correctly they cure, control or ease a wide range of conditions. Using them wrongly causes avoidable harm. This page is a general guide to taking medicines safely.

Take as prescribed

• Take the right dose at the right time. Set phone reminders if helpful.
• Finish the full course of antibiotics even if you feel better — stopping early helps bacteria become resistant.
• Do not share your medicines with others, even if symptoms seem the same.
• Do not stop chronic medicines (for BP, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid) on your own because you feel well — most of them work only while you take them.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember — unless it's close to the next dose, in which case skip it. Don't double-dose.

Buy and store safely

• Buy from licensed pharmacies. Scheme generics — Jan Aushadhi stores stock quality generics at low prices.
• Check the expiry date and batch number on each strip.
• Keep medicines in a cool, dry place away from children. Some need refrigeration (insulin, some liquids) — the label will say.
• Don't stockpile more than a month or two.

Antibiotics — the biggest single safety issue

India has one of the world's fastest-rising antibiotic-resistance problems, driven partly by over-the-counter antibiotic sale and misuse for viral coughs and colds (which antibiotics cannot treat). Never take antibiotics without a Health Expert's advice, and always complete the course.

What to tell a Health Expert

• A list of every medicine and supplement you take — prescription, over-the-counter, ayurvedic, herbal, vitamins.
• Any drug allergy you know of.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Kidney or liver disease — affects dosing of many drugs.
• If you are taking blood thinners — before any surgery, dental work or procedure.

Caution on unregulated products

Some ayurvedic, herbal or "Unani" preparations marketed online or on social media have been found to contain hidden steroids, heavy metals or painkillers. If a product makes dramatic claims ("cures diabetes in 30 days," "removes cholesterol forever"), that's a signal to stay away and consult a Health Expert.