Admittedly: they are somewhat annoying, these small-folded, thin package inserts in the medicine package, but it is nevertheless advisable to take a closer look. After all, the package insert contains important information for you to consider before and when taking your medication.
Composition
Under this item, active ingredients are listed according to their type and quantity. Other ingredients such as flavor enhancers, ointment bases, colorants, and fillers must be listed by the manufacturer but do not have to be listed by quantity.
Dosage instructions and method of use
This is not only about the amount of dose to be taken, the frequency of taking, but also the duration of an application. Some medications are taken only as needed (e.g., pain relievers), while others are to be taken throughout (e.g., antibiotics).
Timing of use
Often there is an additional indication of when they should ideally be taken. Some develop their full effect only if they are taken with some liquid or with meals. It is therefore very important to read the package insert carefully, otherwise the effect of the medication may be impaired. What do the time indications of the directions for use mean?
- Before eating: about half an hour before eating.
- At mealtime: about halfway through the meal.
- Immediately after eating: within 30 minutes after eating.
- After the meal: two hours after the meal.
- Once a day: at the same time each day. You can find the best time in the package insert. If it does not say anything, the time of taking does not matter.
- Twice daily: at intervals of twelve hours.
- Three times a day: at intervals of eight hours.
Contraindications
This refers to diseases and other circumstances in which the drug should not be used. For example, pregnancy, lactation, chronic underlying diseases or immunodeficiency are contraindications for certain drugs.
Drug Interactions
A drug may influence the strength and duration of action of other preparations, partially cancel them out, or strengthen them. Medications for which special caution is advised include blood thinners, antidepressants, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), pain relievers, some antibiotics, antiepileptics, or antidiabetics. To avoid possible interactions, it is recommended that when you visit your doctor (especially for the first time), you tell the doctor which medications you are constantly or currently taking.
If you are unsure, the pharmacy can also provide information about the so-called interactions. By the way: food can also interact with a drug so, for example, coffee, grapefruit juice, milk, licorice and not to forget alcohol.
Side effects
All adverse effects of the drug are listed here – if known. However, this does not necessarily mean that side effects must occur – you will not “necessarily” get any of them! However, the legal requirements oblige the manufacturer to list all side effects that have occurred. What do the frequency information in the side effects actually mean?
- Very often = more than 10%
- Frequent = less than 10%, more than 1%
- Occasionally = 0.1 – 1%
- Rarely = less than 0.1%, more than 0.01%.
- Very rare = less than 0, 01%
- Individual cases = individual case reports, not yet evaluable.
A side effect is therefore a normally undesirable effect of a drug, a so-called adverse drug reaction. The spectrum is very broad, ranging from mild nausea to life-threatening reactions such as anaphylactic shock. However, side effects are not only caused by the active ingredient, but also by the user himself. Thus, incorrect dosage, ingestion errors, or failure to consider possible interactions are possible causes of side effects.
Conclusion
If uncertainties arise about individual items on the package insert, feel free to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. The more information you have, the more targeted and confident you can be with your medications.
