Many are the ways in which medicines can be taken by a patient.
Here Consultant Physician Dr. Chamari Lochana Weeraratne who is also a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo explains the wide and varied methods of taking medicine and how best to get the maximum benefit by doing it right.
Medicine patches that need to be pasted on the skin
Citing the example of the glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) patch, Dr. Weeraratne says that before it is placed on the skin, an area with few hairs should be chosen, cleaned and dried thoroughly. Any part of the skin with scrapes, wounds, rashes or scars
is unsuitable.
It is important to remove any old medicine patch before pasting the new one. If it doesn’t get pasted well or moves around, it is better to replace it with a fresh one while also choosing different sites for the new patches to prevent any irritation occurring on the skin by using the same spot.
“Don’t cut the patch in two or break it, as the patient will not get the correct dosage,” she says, adding that if the result is not as expected it is essential to discuss the matter with the doctor. How it is stored will also have an impact.
Medicines which have to be swallowed or kept under
the tongue
These medicines come in the form of tablets, capsules, liquid, sprays etc. If someone, especially a small child, finds it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules, the same medication could be given in liquid form.
Some tablets are also prepared in such a way to enable them to be dissolved in a little water, explains Dr. Weeraratne, adding that other tablets are manufactured with demarcating lines to enable them to be halved or quartered.
However, this should be done only on the advice of your doctor or pharmacist or if it is mentioned specifically on the label that comes with it, she points out, as it is not suitable to remove the contents of some capsules or divide them. “This could lead to the patient not getting the maximum benefit of the medication or imbibing the incorrect dosage.”
Some bottles of medications have special stoppers which cannot be opened by children and adults should first read the instructions on the leaflets carefully before attempting to open them, she says.
Insertion of medicine
to the eyes
When buying any eye drops or tubes, it is essential to check whether the seal of the medication is intact. If the seal is damaged or the container looks discoloured it is advisable not to buy it. It is also important to remember that the tip of the bottle or tube should not come into contact with your eye, hand, table or any other surface as this could result in germs getting into the eye. After use, make sure to close the medication securely.
The steps to be followed are:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before putting drops into the eye.
- Tilt your head back slightly, pull down your lower eyelid with your index finger and insert the drops between the eyeball and the lower lid.
- Close your eye slowly, without blinking.
- Keep your eye closed for one or two minutes.
- If the medication is for an eye disease or increased eye pressure, as soon as the drops are inserted, put slight pressure on the corner of the eye closest to your nose with the middle finger for about a minute or two. This will help reduce the absorption of the medicine by your body and in turn prevent any side-effects.
- After putting drops into your eye, once again wash your hands with soap and water to get rid of any medication on your fingers.
In the case of an eye ointment, make sure that the opening point of the tube doesn’t touch your eye and after use, wipe it with a clean piece of cloth or tissue and close it tightly with the stopper. Follow the same steps as those for the eye drop insertion, but apply a thin line of ointment into the inner side of the lower eyelid.
Insertion of medicine
to the ear
Don’t allow the tip of the dropper which is used to insert the drops to touch any surface. Lie down or tilt your head with the ear to which the drops should be inserted upwards. If it is an adult, pull the ear lobe upwards and backwards while if it is a child pull it downwards and backwards. Then put the drops into the ear, making the patient remain in that position for about five minutes. Wash the inserter well and store in a clean place for future use.
Insertion of medicine
to the nose
These medicines could be in the form of drops or sprays.
The steps are:
- Blow out any nasal secretions.
- If you are seated, tilt your head slightly or lying in bed change your position to make your head tilt down. Insert the tip of the medication bottle in one nostril and put the drops. Do the same to the other nostril. Remain in the same position for a few minutes until the medication spreads well.
- Wash the bottle-tip with warm water, but don't let the water get into the medication. Dry with a clean tissue or piece of cloth, close the bottle tightly and store it. Don’t share the same bottle with anyone else as this leads to a spread of germs.
- If a nasal spray has to be used, blow out any nasal secretions. Keep your head straight or tilted backwards and spray the medication into the nostril according to the instructions provided in the information leaflet of the product. Wash the tip of the medicine container that was inserted into the nostril with warm water but do not allow the water to get into the medication, wipe well and close the stopper.
Insertion of medicine
to the vagina
Read the leaflet which comes with the pessary containing the medication. Wash your hands well, fit the pessary into the applicator and lie on the bed with your knees bent and raised and your legs wide apart. Then gently insert the applicator into the vagina and push the plunger to release the pessary. If there is difficulty in insertion don’t attempt to push it through. Once the pessary is inserted, remove the applicator.
To clean the applicator, push the plunger out of the barrel and wash both parts in warm water and replace. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
If you are pregnant, such medication should be used only on the specific instructions of your doctor, cautions Dr. Weeraratne. |
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