54 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
WHEN SHOULD MEDICINE NOT BE TAKEN?
Many people have beliefs about things they should not do or eat when taking
medicines. For this reason they may stop taking a medicine they need. In truth, no
medicine causes harm just because it is taken with certain foods—whether pork, chili
pepper, guava, oranges, or any other food. But foods with lots of grease or spices can
make problems of the stomach or gut worse—whether or not any medicine is being
taken (see p. 128). Certain medicines will cause bad reactions if a person drinks
alcohol (see metronidazole, p. 368).
There are situations when, without a doubt, it is best not to use certain medicines:
1. Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding should
avoid all medicines that are not absolutely necessary.
(However, they can take limited amounts of vitamins or iron
pills without danger. Also, pregnant or breastfeeding women
with HIV should take medicines to prevent spreading HIV to
the baby, see p. 398.)
2. With newborn children, be very careful when using
medicines. Whenever possible look for medical help before
giving them any type of medicine. Be sure not to give too
much.
3. A person who has ever had any sort of allergic reaction—
hives, itching, etc.—after taking penicillin, ampicillin, a
sulfonamide, or other medicines, should never use that
medicine again for the rest of his life because it would
be dangerous (see Dangerous reactions from injections of
certain medicines, p. 70).
4. Persons who have stomach ulcers or heartburn should
avoid medicines that contain aspirin. Most painkillers, and
all steroids (see p. 51) make ulcers and acid indigestion
worse. One painkiller that does not irritate the stomach is
acetaminophen (paracetamol, see p. 379).
5. There are specific medicines that are harmful or dangerous to take when you
have certain illnesses. For example, persons with hepatitis should not be treated
with antibiotics or other strong medicines, because their liver is damaged, and the
medicines are more likely to poison the body (see p. 172).
6. Persons who are dehydrated or have disease of the kidneys should be especially
careful with medicines they take. Do not give more than one does of a medicine that
could poison the body unless (or until) the person is urinating normally. For example,
if a child has high fever and is dehydrated (see p. 76), do not give him more than one
dose of acetaminophen or aspirin until he begins to urinate. Never give sulfa to a
person who is dehydrated.