Topic 2: The dangers and misunderstandings of using general household medicine

Medicine is useful if used correctly and appropriately. At the same time, if do not used properly, it may have bad effects and make us more sick or even kill us.

1. The danger from overdose: taking a medicine in higher doses than recommended may cause danger to the health and lead to death.

2. The danger from using deteriorated medicine such as eating expired medicine in not only the illness will not be cured but also the symptom may exacerbate.

3. The danger from continuously using medicine for a long time may be accumulated toxins which are dangerous for the body systems. Moreover, using medicine for a prolonged time may lead to addiction; this happens often with painkillers.

4. The danger from using a medicine until becoming drug resistant. Resistance may happen because of not taking a medicine until the doctor’s recommended date or by stopping medication while still being sick. The pathogen may adapt to resist the medicine which will be rendered useless.

5. The danger from using the medicine without knowledge of its side effects, such as cold medicine which can reduce mucus and allergies but makes us sleepy. If the user does not know this and works with machine or drives a car, it may easily cause an accident.

Recommendations for using medicine

1. Only use medicine of which you know the advantages and disadvantages very well.

2. Choose your medicine appropriate to the disease.

3. Take medication in the recommended amount for the recommended time even when getting better, especially antibiotics.

4. If take medication and not getting better, seek medical advice immediately.

5. When having allergic reactions, such as rash, eyes swelling and breathless, while taking medication, stop using the medicine immediately and seek medical advice.

6. Buy the medicine from a known and reliable drug store.

7. Buy only medication you know and do not let the seller pick drug combinations, medicine packs or unknown medicine because they may cause danger especially steroids, e.g. Prednisolone, Dexamethasone) and antibiotics.

8. Children, pregnant woman and breastfeeding woman must choose medicines that are not dangerous for children and babies.

Medicine a pregnant woman should avoid using

1. Alcohol

2. Cigarettes

3. Addictive drug( such as opium, heroin etc.)

4. Sleeping pills

5. Aspirin

6. Sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone ,testosterone etc

7. Steroids (Prednisolone, Dexamethason, etc.)

8. Sulpha drugs

9. Tetracycline

10. Dilatin (Phenytoin)

11. Medicine for nausea and vomiting(use vitamin B6 if necessary)

12. Ergot

Medicine a breastfeeding woman should avoid using

1. Anti-thyroid drugs

2. Ergot

3. Aspirin

4. Sleeping pills and sedative

5. Sulpha drugs

6. Tetracycline

7. Laxatives

8. Contraceptives

9. Reserpine used to treat high blood pressure

Medicine a newborn should avoid using

1. Tetracyline

2. Chloramphenicol

3. Sulpha drugs

4. Aspirin

5. Cold medication during the first 2 week

6. Anti-diarrheal, e.g. Lomotill for a baby under 6 months and Imodium for a baby under 1 year old.

How to use medicine to treat yourself

When using medicine for self-treatment, do as follows:

1. Know the medicine and use only for a short time. If not getting better, you should seek medical advice.

2. Do not use multiple types of medication at the same time. Choose medicine which has a single active component, e.g. a painkiller should contain only aspirin or paracetamol and not be mixed with other components.

3. Stop using medication if there are abnormal reactions or allergic reactions and seek medical advice immediately.

4. Avoid buying medicine which does not have medication or usage label.

5. Do not believe or listen to a person who does not have a good knowledge about medicine.

6. Keep the medicine away from children and sunlight.

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