Taking medicines without professional advice may seem like a quick solution to common health problems. However, certain habits can lead to treatment failure, adverse effects or even serious complications.
Taking antibiotics without a prescription
A fever, sore throat or cough may lead some people to buy antibiotics directly from a pharmacy. Yet antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as most colds and flu. Their unnecessary use also contributes to antimicrobial resistance, making some infections increasingly difficult to treat. Antibiotics should therefore be taken only when prescribed by a qualified health professional.
Stopping treatment when symptoms improve
Feeling better does not always mean that an illness has completely cleared. Some people stop taking their medicines as soon as symptoms disappear, particularly when the treatment lasts several days or weeks. Depending on the medicine and condition, this can contribute to treatment failure or a return of symptoms. Treatment instructions should be followed unless a health professional advises otherwise.
Increasing the dose for faster results
When pain, fever or other symptoms persist, it may be tempting to take a larger dose or take the medicine more frequently. This can be dangerous. Medicines have recommended doses for a reason, and exceeding them can cause poisoning, liver or kidney damage, bleeding and other serious reactions. A higher dose does not necessarily mean faster recovery.
Combining several medicines without checking their ingredients
Taking different medicines at the same time can sometimes result in accidental overdose or harmful drug interactions. This is particularly common with painkillers and cold or flu medicines, which may contain the same active ingredient under different brand names. Before combining medicines, patients should check their active ingredients and, where possible, seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor.
Using someone else’s medicine
A medicine prescribed to a relative, friend or neighbor may appear suitable because the symptoms seem similar. However, treatment depends on several factors, including the diagnosis, age, medical history, allergies and other medicines being taken. Using another person’s prescription can therefore delay appropriate treatment or cause adverse reactions.
The safer approach
Self-medication does not always mean taking any medicine without medical supervision. Some over-the-counter medicines can be used safely when the instructions are carefully followed. The important point is to know when professional advice is needed. Persistent, severe or unusual symptoms should not be managed indefinitely at home.
When in doubt, a pharmacist, doctor or other qualified health professional can help determine whether a medicine is appropriate, how it should be taken and when further medical care is necessary.
