In most cases, you should not double the next dose of antibiotics if you've missed a dose. Taking a double dose of antibiotics will increase your risk of getting side effects. Take your missed dose as soon as you remember or, if it's nearly time for your next dose, skip your missed dose altogether. Always refer to the patient information leaflet PIL that comes with your antibiotics, as it provides information and advice about the specific antibiotic you're taking.
The PIL will include the manufacturer's advice about what to do if you miss a dose. Ask the pharmacist for a PIL if you have not been given one with your medicine. This is a perfect time to tell your doctor of any reactions or side effects you may be having to see if they are normal, if you need to stop taking medicine, or if you need to try a different antibiotic.
Your doctor prescribes antibiotics to be taken in full. Even though you may start feeling much better after a day or so, you must continue to take your antibiotics until they are all gone or until the doctor says to stop.
Some of you may want to hoard antibiotics to avoid a future visit to the doctor. This is also a bad idea. Completing your course of medicine gives you a better chance that the infection will not return. Bacteria can linger in your body, and although you feel fine, they can be reproducing and spreading the infection. Antibiotic resistance is becoming a significant problem today. The Center for Disease Control reports nearly 3 million people in the U.
Of that number, 35, people die. One of the best ways to avoid missed antibiotic doses is to implement strategies that help you stay on track.
Any medicine you take should be done at the same time each day. Creating a strict routine becomes part of your daily habits, making them easier to remember. Include taking antibiotics with other actions you do regularly each day. For example, if you eat breakfast at 9 am each morning, take your antibiotic with breakfast. You can even leave yourself a reminder note next to your breakfast items.
Other reminder activities include setting the alarm on your phone, watch, or computer. Leave your antibiotic out where it is visible. If you put it in a drawer, you may forget about it. If it must be refrigerated, put a note on the front of the fridge to remind you it is in there. Missing an antibiotic dose is common; it happens all the time. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Notify me of follow-up comments by email. For people who struggle to remember their medication, Dr. Egloff-Du offers a few helpful tips. If you miss several doses or days of therapy for any reason, Dr. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. By Sarah Bradley Aug. Top Reads in Health Education. In this situation, contact your doctor. They can advise you on how to move forward with your treatment. They can help provide guidance on next steps.
The label on your prescription bottle can provide you with some helpful basic information about your antibiotic, including:.
Further information about your antibiotic is also provided when you pick up your prescription. This can be attached to the prescription packaging or given as a separate handout.
There are a few different types:. The above information can help inform you about your antibiotic in general and may also include specific information about what to do when you miss a dose. DailyMed and Drugs FDA are two searchable resources that you can also use to get more information on your antibiotic. If you stop taking your antibiotics early, the bacteria causing your infection may not have been completely cleared, and your infection could return.
Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern. It happens when bacteria adapt to withstand one or more antibiotics. Infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria are harder to treat and can last longer. If you find that you have trouble remembering to take your antibiotics, you can try some of the following strategies to help yourself remember :.
Taking your antibiotics as directed by your doctor is important for clearing your bacterial infection. This includes making sure to take all doses as scheduled.
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