Why You Should Follow the Prescription Label

Almost everyone gets a prescription for something over the course of their lives. However, even though it is commonplace to be prescribed various medications depending on the illness you have, there are a lot of things that you should keep in mind when it comes to taking a new prescription, and one of the most important things is to stick to the label.

Consider the following reasons why you should follow the label on your prescription container.

You Get the Best Results This Way

If you have gotten your prescription through the proper channels, you had to make a visit to see a doctor, tell your doctor what was going on and received a paper from your doctor telling you what they were prescribing and why.

Your doctor, if they know you well or they specialize in the ailment that you are seeing them for, knows exactly what to do and how much of a specific medication they need to give you.

The label reflects their instructions and you should not feel wary about following those instructions to the letter, as those instructions were given to you to ensure that you get the best results by following them.

The Side Effects are Real

There are some people who think side effects should not be taken seriously, and if you are one of them, it might be a good idea to change your mindset. When side effects are listed on the side of a medication bottle or box, it means that there have been several to hundreds of cases where those side effects occurred as a direct result of taking the medication.

Just because the effects are not the same for everyone does not mean that they are not real. It is vital that you read every single side effect listed on the container or pamphlet and look up the ones that you are not familiar with so you can keep an eye out in case any occur.

Knowing the side effects could mean the difference between life and death, especially if one of those side effects is trouble breathing.

Helps Avoid Deadly Combinations With Other Substances

Depending on the medication, there might be some things that your prescription should not be mixed with, and one of the most common substances listed on the label to not mix medications with is alcohol, as it can cause the benefits of the medication to be canceled out or it can mix with the chemical makeup of your prescription in a way that might turn out to be deadly for you.

For instance, mixing Lunesta and alcohol can result in a ton of different nasty effects, including but not limited to mood swings, memory loss, and suicidal thoughts.

There is a reason that each prescription has a label, and though there is a lot of information on that label, each and every piece of that information is necessary for ensuring that you get the best treatment and results that you possibly can. Keep this article in mind and do not forget the importance of following your prescription labels to the letter.