The 8 Points Program for Medicines in the Medicine Cabinet

Medicines can only work properly if they are used correctly. For the sake of your health, you should therefore follow some important rules for the correct handling of medicines – and have the most important means in their medicine cabinet on hand. Handling medicines requires a great deal of care. In a variation of the so-called “8-R rule”, which is used in the care of elderly and sick people, this rule can help in the proper handling of medicines.

1. right person

Never take medicines that the doctor has prescribed for someone else, no matter how well they have helped that person. It is best not to keep leftover medicines at all. This is especially true for antibiotics. If side effects occur or the clinical picture worsens, talk to your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

2. right medicine

Before taking the medicine, read the package leaflet carefully, especially the points on indication and contraindications (am I allowed to take the medicine at all?). If necessary, ask your doctor or pharmacy about interactions if you are also taking other medicines. The effects may influence each other under certain circumstances – either weaken or strengthen.

3. correct dose

Follow the dosing instructions exactly. Do not arbitrarily increase (a lot does not always help!) or decrease the dose. Also, adhere to the prescribed dosing intervals. This applies to medications in continuous use as well as for acute treatment.

4. correct mode/site of administration.

Medications should be taken as prescribed by the physician or as instructed in the package insert or applied at the specified site.

5. correct timing

It is essential to adhere to the intended duration of treatment – even if the symptoms have subsided in the meantime. Thus, antibiotics must always be used up, so that it does not come to so-called resistance formation. Antibiotic resistance means that the next time the drug is taken, it is no longer effective against the pathogen, as the latter is “immune” to the active substance, so to speak. If the symptoms persist despite treatment with medication, consult your doctor. Only he can decide whether another form of treatment may be necessary or useful.

6. correct duration of application

Do not use medicine after the expiration date. Eye drops should only be used for 6 weeks after the vial is opened. It is also important to regularly check the age of the dressings and medications in your medicine cabinet and replace expired items with new ones. Rusty scissors or bandages that are dirty should be replaced. The same goes for ointments that have dried up and liquids that are flaking out.

7. proper storage

Keep the package insert together with the medicine in the original packaging throughout the treatment period. Medicines from which the package insert is missing and which can no longer be identified should be disposed of consistently. As a general rule, medicines should always be stored in a cool, dry place; they are better off in the bedroom than in the bathroom. The medicine cabinet should be lockable – and locked so that children cannot get to the medicines.

8. proper disposal

Do not dispose of medications in the household trash. It is best to take the expired or no longer needed medicines to the pharmacy.

The “top ten” of the home pharmacy.

  1. Cold remedies: cough syrup, nasal spray, sore throat tablets, cold oil.
  2. Clinical thermometer
  3. Painkillers, e.g. for acute headache, toothache or joint pain.
  4. Vitamin tablets, immunostimulants
  5. Gastrointestinal drugs: for nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, constipation.
  6. Herbal sedatives against nervousness and sleep disorders.
  7. Bandages (including scissors, disinfectant and spray plaster).
  8. Sports ointment
  9. Cooling gel against burns and itching from insect bites
  10. All remedies prescribed by your doctor to take regularly, eg.B. Cholesterol-lowering agents, blood pressure-lowering agents, etc.