From The Straits Times    |

1. Should I take my meds before or after food?

For individuals with no major health problems, it makes little difference. This is because meds such as antihistamine and cough syrups are generally not affected by oil in food.
But certain flu remedies may contain ingredients that affect people with weak stomachs so taking food may reduce the risk of tummy upsets. However, some meds for treating osteoporosis may bind with food, thus making them hard to be absorbed.
 
2. How long can I store my cold medicine before it loses its potency?
That depends on whether the medicine is in tablet or syrup form. Tablets can be kept until the stated expiry date, provided they are maintained at room temperature and not exposed to excessive heat – so don’t place them near the stove or toaster oven. Liquid meds such as cough syrups should not be kept for more than three to four months after they have been opened as they are more vulnerable to contamination.
 
3. Can medicines last longer if I store them in the fridge?
Storing them in the fridge or freezermakes little difference to their shelf life. In fact, it could even be dangerous ifyour meds are in liquid form. Ivan Chew, a pharmacist from the Pharmaceutical Societyof Singapore, says that a combination of highhumidity in the outside air and low temperatures inthe fridge can cause crystallisation in some cough syrups. Thismeans the medicine is not evenly diffused and you may notbe taking the correct dosage.
 
4. I have trouble swallowing my pills. Can I cut them in half or crush them in my food and drinks?
Crushing pills isn’t a good idea because certain meds have a protective coating that prevents them from breaking down until they reach the intestines (so they don’t cause gastric discomfort while in the stomach). For meds labelled “long acting” or “sustained relief”, the coating actually prolongs the action of the pill. Retail pharmacist Daphne Tan suggests you look at the pill itself to determine if it can be crushed. “If it can, there will be a score-line on the tablet so that it’s easier for you to break,” she says.
 
5. Can I take the same painkillers targeted for menstrual cramps for headaches?
Both painkillers contain paracetamol which helps relieve headaches and body aches. But painkillers for menstrual cramps have added ingredients to ease other problems women may have during their period, such as flatulence and bloating. So if you’re not experiencing any of these symptoms, ordinary painkillers ought to do the job.
 
6. My mum just recovered from a cold and may have passed the bug to me. Can I share her medicine?
Different cold medicines target differentsymptoms such as runny nose, blockednose and fever. Some target multiple symptoms. Do not take the medicationif you don’t have the same symptomsor if you only need to treat one. Also consider the side effects. Medicineswhich cause drowsiness may be finefor your mum if she can snooze at home but unsuitable for you if youhave to work.
 
7. Can I take my medication with juice or coffee?
That’s a big no. “Coffee and tea contain caffeine, which may affect the breakdown of the medicine in the body or the rate of breakdown,” says Daphne. This means your meds may stay in your body longer than they’re supposed to. Eventually, they may accumulate to toxic levels, although this is rare and requires a prolonged period of usage. While most juices don’t pose any problems, certain medicines are alkaline in nature. So taking them with grapefruit juice, which is extremely acidic, may reduce their effectiveness.
 
8. I often suffer from a blocked nose. Can I keep using my nasal decongestant indefinitely?
Pharmacists advise against it. Retail pharmacist Sung Kar Yen says: “If you use it continuously for more than three to five days, it may cause a rebound congestion as your body stops responding to the drug altogether. This means the nose may continue to be blocked even if you keep on using the nose drops.”
 
9. How do I travel with my meds?
It’s always better to store your prescribed pills in your hand luggage in case your checked-in baggage does not arrive at the destination in time. But in view of recent anti-terrorist restrictions on hand luggage, check with your airline first. Despite the high altitudes, storing your pills in the passenger cabin is still safe as the temperature and air pressure are well-controlled to maintain passenger comfort, says Ivan. In the baggage compartment, however, freezing may occur as it’s not a pressurised environment.
So meds like insulin and vaccine that cannot tolerate freezing temperatures should not be stored there.
 
10.What else can I take besides Panadol for menstrual cramps?
You may try naproxen or ibuprofen. However, they may be unsuitable if you are also on other meds such as blood-thinning agents, or suffer from asthma.

 

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