November 9, 2016: SafeMedicationUse.ca Newsletter - Be Sure You Know the Meaning of "Take as Needed"
It's important to understand how your doctor wants you to use your medications. Some medications are meant to be taken every day. Other medications should be used only when a specific symptom occurs, such as pain or trouble sleeping. In those cases, the medication instructions will say that it should be taken "as needed" or "as required". However, this instruction does not mean that the medication can be taken again and again until the symptom is gone.SafeMedicationUse.ca received a report from a consumer who was taking lorazepam to help her sleep. The instructions on her prescription bottle said "TAKE 1 TABLET BY MOUTH AT BEDTIME AS REQUIRED". When the consumer asked for a refill earlier than expected, the pharmacist discovered that the consumer had misunderstood the instructions. Read more ...
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