Support Services Handout Series
Number 1004 Student Health Information Sheet
Administering Prescription Medications

When a doctor prescribes a medication he or she usually has a specific dosing schedule in mind . The dosing schedule for a medication is determined by how long the drug is effective. The body may break down some medications very quickly, so they are effective for only a few hours. Other drugs are broken down more slowly, so they are effective for twelve to twenty-four hours. Obviously the break-down rate for a drug affects how often it must be given.

If your child's doctor prescribes a drug to be given three times a day, it is important to find out what he or she means. Does it mean every eight hours and you may have to awaken your child at night for a dose? Or will three doses, spread out as much as possible during your child's day be sufficient. Similarly, a drug to be given "four times a day" may really mean that it should be given every six hours. Other drugs may be given four times a day without waking your child at night. It is very important to clarify with your doctor exactly what the proper dosing schedule is.

Antibiotics (drugs given to fight an infection) must be given exactly as prescribed in order to completely "kill off" all of the germs causing the infection. In order to do this, two things are especially important:

1. Dosage schedule
2. Amount of medicine given

When a doctor prescribes an antibiotic he or she expects that it will be given regularly in order to maintain enough medication in the body that the bacteria cannot begin to grow again. The doctor also expects to maintain those antibiotic levels in the body for a long enough period of time (usually l0-l4 days) to kill off all of the bacteria .

So, take the antibiotic regularly and take all of it . Don't stop taking the medication when the symptoms of the illness go away, and don't save medication from one illness to the next. "Saved medications" usually are not the right medication for the next illness, and the quantity and potency are also questionable.

Some medications have special labels affixed to the bottles, usually applied by your pharmacist, and it's important to note them. Here are some of special importance:

1. Take 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating . (Ampicillin, Pen-V-K, Penicillin 6, Oxacillin, Erythromycin). These medications' absorption from the stomach into the bloodstream is slowed down or stopped by food in the stomach.

2. Refrigerate . This is important because many medications such as antibiotics, break down at room temperature.

3. Shake well before using . This is especially important with such medications as the antibiotics and liquid dilantin. The medication is suspended in a syrup and tends to settle to the bottom. This means a dose might have no medication , or even worse, might have too much medication.

It is also important when taking a prescription medication, particularly for the first time, to be alert for side effects. If any side effects such as rashes, restlessness, nausea, or sleepiness occur, call your doctor immediately.

Last, but not least, always remember to discuss all of the medications you or your child are taking with your doctor whenever you doctor prescribes a new medication. For example, an asthmatic taking slophyllin should not be given erythromycin, because it interferes with the absorption of slophyllin. Many drugs interact poorly, and your doctor will be able to guide you.

So, remember when your doctor prescribes a medication for you or your child, ask questions, understand instructions fully, and follow directions. Your health and that of your child depends on your knowledge of the way to administer a prescription medication.

Developed by: Jan Kemper and Brenda Thaxton

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