476 Common Medicines
When to take medicines
It is important to take medicines at the right time. Some
medicines should be taken only once a day, but others must be
taken more often. You do not need a clock. If the directions say
‘1 pill every 8 hours’, or ‘3 pills a day’, take one at sunrise, one in
the afternoon, and one at night. If they say ‘1 pill every 6 hours’,
or ‘4 pills a day’, take one in the morning, one at midday, one in
the late afternoon, and one at night. If the directions say
‘1 every 4 hours’, take 6 pills a day, allowing about the same time
between pills.
IMPORTANT
• If possible, take medicines while standing or sitting up. Also, try to drink
a glass of liquid each time you take a medicine.
• If you vomit and can see the medicine in the vomit, you will need to take
the medicine again.
• If you vomit within 3 hours after taking a birth-control pill, take another
one to make sure you will not get pregnant.
If you are writing a note for someone who does not read
well, draw them a note like this:
In the blanks at the bottom, draw the amount of medicine to
take and carefully explain what it means. For example:
This means they
should take 1 tablet
4 times a day: 1 at
sunrise, 1 at midday,
1 in the late afternoon,
and 1 at night.
This means
½ tablet
4 times a day.
This means
1 capsule
3 times a day.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012