When we leave the doctor’s office with prescription medication in hand, we sometimes have questions about these products. How to ingest it, how it will act in the body, what to do after it expires, are some of the questions. Help can come from guidance from the pharmacist at the time of purchase, at pick-up at health centers or at community pharmacies.
“The doctor makes the diagnosis and the best prescription. The pharmacist is the professional who gives guidance related to the medicine and how to make the best use of it. The patient can ask the pharmacist, as this professional’s mission is to raise awareness about the safe and rational use of medicines”, explains Alessandra Pineda do Amaral Gurgel, Manager of Pharmaceutical Assistance at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz.
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To clarify the use of medicines, the professional clarifies some myths and truths. Check out!
1. The best way to take a pill is with water
True. The absorption of the medication by the body depends on its presentation and the patient’s metabolism. The presentations generically called “tablets” are pills, capsules, granules and coated tablets. The best way to ingest it is with water. “Some medications cannot be taken with milk or juices, others must be consumed close to meals, as they are better absorbed. Those who drink it with water are less likely to make mistakes”, explains the specialist.
2. Taking medication on a full stomach cuts the effect
Myth. Some medicines are recommended to be taken after meals due to the possibility of causing gastric irritation and others because they are better absorbed. “A vitamin Dfor example, is fat-soluble and, as it binds to the fat in the food, it is better absorbed when taken with meals”, says Alessandra Pineda do Amaral Gurgel, who reminds us of the importance of following the prescribed times for taking medications, especially antimicrobials. .
“There are cases, such as the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which must be administered two hours after consuming dairy foods, or foods enriched with minerals such as iron, magnesium and zinc, as their absorption may be impaired if consumed with foods or drinks containing these minerals. Therefore, it is important to be informed about how your medicine should be used”, explains the professional.
3. Liquid medications take effect faster
True. Liquids or solutions do not go through the dissolution process within the body like tablets; therefore, they are absorbed more quickly. “It acts faster because it is ready to be absorbed by the body“, says the pharmacist.
4. Taking the medication days after it expires won’t hurt
Myth. Beyond the expiration date, the drug manufacturer cannot guarantee that it will work in its entirety. “The industry carries out validity tests in extreme situations such as high temperatures, humidity, incidence of light, among others, to estimate a maximum period for which the medicine maintains its efficacy and safety characteristics for use. Outside of this period, there is no guarantee that use will be safe”, highlights the expert.
Alessandra Pineda do Amaral Gurgel also reinforces that, in addition to the expiration date, the patient needs to be aware of the storage conditions of the medication. “You have to follow the required conservation conditions such as: temperature, humidity and protection from sunlight”, says the professional.
5. Consuming alcohol does not hinder the effect of medication
Myth. Alcohol intake is capable of altering the metabolism of medications in the body, increasing adverse reactions. Medicines that act on the central nervous system, such as tranquilizers, may have an increased effect.
Some antibiotics, when used with alcohol, can lead to serious antabuse-type effects, which refers to the accumulation of toxic metabolites, which can cause vomiting, headache, palpitation, hypotension, difficulty breathing until death. “Alcoholic drinks can reduce or enhance the effect of the drug so, in general, it is recommended that they not be ingested when taking medication”, says the pharmacist.
6. Medicines can be thrown in the general trash or down the toilet
Myth. Medications disposed of incorrectly can cause household incidents, such as with children or pets, and damage to the environment if they end up in the sewage system. It is recommended to separate the medicine and deliver it to collection points. Some pharmacy chains have these stations.
“Even if the pharmacy does not have a specific collection point, the establishment disposes of it appropriately and can guide safe disposal or even do it themselves”, explains Alessandra Pineda from Amaral Gurgel.
Furthermore, incorrect disposal of antimicrobials can contribute to the selection of resistant bacteria in the environment, with potential impacts on human health.
By Maria Luiza Galeão Medeiros Lacerda Costa
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