A recent article from Net Doctor has food for thought for those of us on long term medication. Please don’t take initiatives with your medication – talk to your Doctor or Pharmacist first! :
Patients are putting themselves at risk of serious harm by believing it is beneficial to occasionally stop taking long-term medicines in order to given their body a ‘detox’, experts have warned.
Research by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) suggests that one in five people believe a so-called ‘medicines detox’ is beneficial.
However, the NPA warned that this could be seriously harmful for patients with conditions such as diabetes, asthma or depression, as they could lose control of their illness.
The survey also revealed that nearly one in three people believe it is safe to take non-prescription medicines that have been recommended for other people.
And some wrongly assume it is okay for a child to take an adult’s medication, as long as the dosage is reduced.
NPA head of information Leyla Hannbeck said: ‘There is a lot of misunderstanding about how medicines work in your body.
‘It’s important to get the right treatment and the right advice – which you can get from your local pharmacy, often without an appointment.’
Pharmacies provide a wealth of services in addition to dispensing medicines.
These include the disposal of unwanted medicines, promotion of healthy lifestyles and support for self-care.
Pharmacists can also provide personalised advice on medicines, smoking cessation support and guidance on sexual health.
