Are You Taking the Right Amount of Water With Your Medicine?2012-08-27 Do you know how much water or other fluid should be taken with medicines that are swallowed? For some medicines, a small sip may not be enough. The amount and type of fluid that is best for you will depend on the properties of your medicine and on the particular diseases or conditions that you have. Water helps medicine pass from your mouth to your stomach and small intestine and to be absorbed to give the desired action. Swallowing medicines without enough water may prevent the medicine from acting properly and may even lead to undesired side effects in some cases. One example is the class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). Some commonly used NSAIDs are acetylsalicylic acid (also called ASA or Aspirin), ibuprofen, and naproxen. Taking NSAIDs without enough liquid or taking them on an empty stomach can increase your chances of experiencing irritation of the esophagus or stomach or even ulcers. Another example is a class of drugs called bisphosphonates, which are used to treat or prevent osteoporosis. These medicines are usually taken on an empty stomach. To reduce your risk of experiencing irritation of the esophagus, it's important to take these medicines with plenty of water, and to avoid lying down for at least half an hour after taking them. The amount of water needed can also depend on the dosage form. For example, you may need to swallow more water with a large tablet or capsule than with a small tablet or a liquid medicine. Here are some important points to remember:
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FAQs
How to safely administer medications? ›
- The six rights of safe. medication administration. ...
- * Ask the patient their first and last name * Does the order match the patient? Right medication 4.
- * Does the medication label match the order? ...
- * Does the strength and dosage match the order? ...
- time interval has passed. ...
- * Does the route match the order?
Follow the Seven Rights when you are administering medication to the individuals you support: Right Person, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Time, Right Route, Right Reason, and Right Documentation.
What are the 5 rules of safe medication administration? ›Most health care professionals, especially nurses, know the “five rights” of medication use: the right patient, the right drug, the right time, the right dose, and the right route—all of which are generally regarded as a standard for safe medication practices.