Taking medicines correctly

Abstract

Medicines are made of often potent active ingredients. They need to be taken in the correct dose and at the correct frequency as prescribed by a doctor or other health professional. If they are not taken correctly, then the patient’s condition may worsen, or the patient may become less responsive to further treatment. For example, missed doses of glaucoma medicine can lead to optic nerve damage or blindness and missed doses of heart medication can lead to cardiac arrest. An overdose of a medicine can be very serious, potentially leading to an adverse reaction, hospitalization and even death.