What are the Guidelines to Taking Pills?

QUESTION: There are times when the instructions on the label of my medicines
confuse me, and I always forget to ask the doctor or the pharmacist. When it
says "every 4 hours" do I have to get up at night? And what if I forget to
take a pill, do I take two the next time? Must I take a pill while eating,
when it says "take with meals"?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: Thank you for your questions. I am almost embarrassed for my
colleagues by your need for this information, that is so basic, but so
important for you to know if you are to gain the full benefit of your
medication. The answers are all easy to remember, but cut this article out
and save it for the future, just in case.
When the label reads "every 4 hours" it really means only during waking
hours. It would say "around the clock" or "throughout the 24 hour period" if
your physician intended you to really take it at 4 hour intervals at night.
If you miss a pill, be sure to take the next one exactly on time, and since
different medications act in different ways, it might be necessary to double
up on the next dose. Here is where a call to your physician or pharmacist can
really pay off with the proper information for your special medicine. You
don't need to take a pill during your meal when the instructions read "with
meals", but be sure to take it immediately after you have finished eating.
Generally this is indicated when the medication works best or more safely when
there is food in your stomach. Since there are so many types of medicines,
you always need to know exactly how your personal medications should be taken.
Remember "When in doubt, shout out!" into the ear of the people who can and
want to help, your doctor and pharmacist.