Mistakes You May Be Making with Your Pain Medication

You have a headache and you reach for a pain pill. You wrench your back while playing golf; you reach for a pain pill. It seems like the older we get and the more stressful life gets for us the more pain pills we take. However, are we taking these pain pills correctly? Are we taking this pain medication in a way that is helping us or doing us more harm?

Here are some common mistakes many of us may be making.

Assuming More Means Better

If you take one, two will be better. You think if you take more than the directions say, the medicine will just start working faster. However, what may happen is that you take too much and it will cause a reaction in your body. This reaction could land you in the hospital. It could cause you to become excessive dizzy. It could even cause reactions that could involve your heart. Never take more than is prescribed or recommended.

Taking The Medication Without Reading the Label

If you don't read the label how will you know how much of the medication to take? You could end up overdosing yourself. You also need to know what other things you need to avoid while taking this medication.

Drinking Alcohol While Taking Medication

It is a simple fact. If you are taking any type of pain medication whether it is the over the counter variety or doctor prescribed, you are not supposed to drink. Alcohol, including beer, will intensify the effect of all pain medications.

Driving While Taking Medication

It is best not to drive while taking any pain medication. Pain medication can dull your senses and you don't want your senses dulled while driving. However, you should definitely never start a new pain medication when you think you may have to drive. You never know the effects a new medication will have on you.

Don't Share Prescriptions

Yes, you may want to stop your friend's pain. However, you are not a doctor. Do not share any medications, including pain medications with your friends and family. You can recommend to them what works for you. Then they can check with their doctor to see if he advises this medication, too. Remember their medications, their health conditions and their allergies may not agree with the medication you are taking. This could lead to major health issues for them.

See Your Doctor If The Medication Isn't working

Finally, if the pain medication has stopped working for you, it may be time to look for an alternative method. Tell your doctor. Don't increase the dosage on your own.

Sources:

webmd.com