prescription drugs - do you finish taking them even when...

**homesteadmamma** · 01-09-2006, 02:11 PM

Your feeling better?

On every bottle of prescription drugs I receive I see the sticker "take all medication until complete". I always do, even after I'm feeling better.

How about you?

**canadian gardener** · 01-09-2006, 02:15 PM

Yes. As a nurse it was drilled into us, but it makes sense.

If you are taking antibiotics for example and don't finish the bottle what you just did, was create your own personal variety of resistant bugs in your body of whatever bacteria you were fighting off.

You feel great now, but next time you lower your resistence due to a virus going around, that little super bug is ready to try it's luck.

And this time, it's able to survive that antibiotic.

Which is why we have a lot of resistant bacteria. It's human nature to stop taking something once we feel better, and that human nature didn't change when we discovered antibiotics.

that and taking antibiotics for viral illness.

**guest32** · 01-09-2006, 02:17 PM

My dh is a pharmacist...I know all the rules!

**baxjul** · 01-09-2006, 08:39 PM

I'm a nurse also!

I'm also (excuse the tangent) sick of people taking antibiotics for every little sniffle or cough. They don't work for viruses!!!

You wouldn't believe how many people I see everyday that want antibiotics for everything!

**fernykins** · 01-09-2006, 09:32 PM

I try too
Fern

**marym** · 01-09-2006, 09:39 PM

Well I just got in trouble with my MD for not finishing my med.
about 2 weeks ago I had 2 bad asthma attacks and was perscribed Advair. I didn't finish it ( I felt better) I ended up even worse and am now taking a stronger advair perscription. I will finish this one!

**Pepper** · 01-09-2006, 11:33 PM

I don't but I do know that I should!

**Kimberlina** · 01-10-2006, 12:00 AM

Antibiotics, always. I've had patients who have had their sternums removed or have holes I can put my finger all the way into and not reach the end because the have a resistant bacteria. It isn't pretty and they end up on harsh antiobiotics that have to be infused.

Other meds, it depends. If I'm not going to take them all (because of side-effects or whatever) I will discuss it with my doctor first.

**Renee-2kids** · 01-10-2006, 12:04 AM

If it says to I do. If it says "as needed" to do that.

**voodidit** · 01-10-2006, 12:38 AM

Advair is not a temporary med. Once you start taking it you should always continue, otherwise it's ineffective. It has worked wonders for me.

**Katybird** · 01-10-2006, 05:05 PM

I always do.

**sunshine** · 01-10-2006, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by voodidit
Advair is not a temporary med. Once you start taking it you should always continue, otherwise it's ineffective. It has worked wonders for me.

It depends on why it was prescribed-- for asthma or COPD, it's generally an ongoing med. . for bronchitis, pneumonia, pleuresy-- it's a temporary med to decrease the inflamation .