FAQ's

What is medicine?
The word medicine is derived from the Latin word medicina, meaning the art of healing. Medicine is something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease
Medicine is the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques.
It is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health and that is used for diagnosis, prevention, treatment or cure of disease.
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What do you mean by a drug?
Drug is derived from the word Drogue means a dry herb.
According to WHO Drug is any substance or product that is used or is indented to be used to modify or explore physiological system or pathological states for the benefit of the recipient.
It is single active chemical entity present in a medicine that is used for diagnosis, prevention, treatment or cure of disease.

What do medicines do?
The medicine you are taking may:

Treat your condition- eg: an antibiotic to treat certain infections.
Control your condition- eg: a medicine to lower blood pressure.
Treat symptoms of your conditions- eg: a painkiller for toothache.
Prevent you from being unwell- eg: a vaccination against diseases.


Will my medicine cause side effects?
The benefit of taking your medicine is expected to be greater than the risk of suffering any unwanted side effects.
Most of the peoples take medicine without suffering any unwanted side effect. But all medicines can cause problems.
The chance (risk) of having side effects can be described by following
· Very common means that more than 1 in 10 people taking this medicine are likely to have the side effects.
· Common means between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 can cause the side effects.
· Uncommon means that between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 of peoples are affected.
· Rare means that between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10000 of peoples are affected.
· Very rare means that less than 1 in 10000 of peoples are affected.

How can I reduce the risk of side effects?

· Take your medicines as advised by the doctor or by the pharmacist.
Do not take the medicine without the prescription of the medicine.
· If you feel any discomfort after taking a medication, immediately withdraw the next usage of medicine and consult a doctor immediately.
· For worrying or serious effects you may be told to stop medication or receive any other treatment. For less serious side effects you may be advised to continue medication or change a dose.
· If you are allergic to any medication, it is important to tell to your doctor or pharmacist.
· Be careful about mixing of medicines. Some medicines should not be mixed together.
Before taking any medicine it is important to tell to your doctor or pharmacist it about any other medicine you are taking already.
· Be aware that something can increase the chance your medicine causing side effects. For eg: you may able to lower the risk of side effects by not drinking alcohol or not eating certain foods during the course of treatment.
· Adopt correct drug administration technique.


What are the routes through which a medicine can administer?’


Most drugs can be administered by different route .The routes can be broadly classified into those for local action and systemic action.
Local routes- This route can be used for local lesions at accessible sites and for drugs whose systemic absorption from sites is minimal or absent.
The local routes are
Topical route
Deeper tissues- Deep tissue areas can be approached by using a syringe and needle. Eg: intra-articular injection (hydrocortisone acetate).
Arterial supply- It is used in angiography.

Systemic routes- The medicine administered through systemic route is intended to be absorbed into the blood stream and distributed all over.
1. Oral- It is the commonest mode of drug administration. Both solid dosage form and liquid dosage form can give through this route.
2. Sublingual or buccal- The tablet containing drug is placed under the tongue or crushed in the mouth and spread over the buccal mucosa. Eg: GTN, nitroglycerin, buprenorphine.
3. Rectal- Certain irritants or unpleasant drugs can be put into the rectum as suppositories or enema for systemic effect.
4. Cutaneous- Highly lipid soluble drugs can applied over the skin for long and prolonged absorption.
5. Inhalation
6. Nasal route.
7. Parental route- This refers to administration of medicine by injection directly into tissue fluid or to blood.

Parental route include subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intradermal.



8. Drugs which are giving through injection show faster action than the drugs given through oral route. Why?
The medicines which are giving through oral route, if it is solid form it must dissolve in aqueous phase and then cross the biological membrane in the body and get in to the blood circulation. Then the medicine goes into the site of action and shows drug action.
But in case of the drugs given through parental route by injection which takes the drugs directly into the tissue fluid or blood without having to cross biological membrane and shows the drug action. So the drugs given through the parental route has faster onset of action than given through oral route.


9. How to get most from your medicine?
Follow these Do’s and don’t:
· Do read the medicine strip or prescription carefully.
· Do take your medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells to you
· Do understand the generic and brand name of the medicine.
· Do look for an over the counter medicine that will treat only symptoms you have. for example, if you only have runny nose, don’t pick a medicine that also treats coughs and medicine
· Do make sure that each of your doctors has a list of all medicines you are currently taking.
· Do make sure that you have a list of all of the medicines you are currently taking.
· Don’t combine prescription medicine and OTC medicines unless your doctor says it’s okay.
· Don’t stop taking a medicine, change how much you take or how often you take it without first taking to your doctor.
· Don’t take someone else’s medicine.
· Don’t use medicine after its expiry date.
· Don’t crush, break or chew tablets or capsules unless your tells you to. Some medicine won’t work right unless they are swallowed whole.

10. Can we split tablet to adjust dosage?
Splitting of tablet is common. The patient’s need to split the tablets into two equal halves and take one tablet as one dose. The reason for the splitting of tablet is to obtain the required strength for the individual. Sometime the required strength of the tablet cannot be available commercially and the commercially available strength product may not be suitable.
Uneven breaking of tablet not only causing the inaccurate dose but may increase wastage too. The environmental exposure of broken tablet to air and light may affect the stability of the product.
Certain categories of tablets such as coated tablet, sustained release tablets are not suitable for splitting. On breaking of the coated tablet, the coating gets damaged and the purpose or benefit of coating may lose. similarly sustained releases tablets are designed for the purpose of achieve long duration of action from single dose. The design would be damaged on breaking. Pre packed oral contraceptives are not indented for splitting.


11. What are all should I check in the strip while buying a medicine?

Brand name of the medicine, date of manufacturing, expiry date, batch number of the medicine, dose and indications along with ingredients of the medicine and necessary precaution. These are all should be check in the strip of the medicine while buying a medicine.



12. How can I diffentiate brand name, generic name and chemical name of a medicine?
Brand name is the name assigned by the manufacturer and is his property or trade mark. One drug may have multiple brand names. For Eg: Calpol, Dolo, Medomol, Dolopar are the brand names of paracetamol.
Chemical name describes the name of the chemical substance present in the medicine. For Eg: 1-(Isopropylamino)-3-(1-naphthyloxy) propan-2-ol for propranolol.
Generic name is the name accepted by the competent scientific body or authority. For Eg: ciprofloxacin, cinnarizine, Omeprazole propranolol etc.

13. Is there any problem of changing brand name of my medicine?
The brand name and generic name of the product has been mentioned on the strip.
The manufactures may market the same product under different brand name in different countries. Brand names are generally differing in different countries. So the changing of the brand name of a medicine is not a problem.
But when you are purchasing another brand product you should check it out the generic name strength of the medicine and combination proportion and it should not be changed. For continuous use of medicine its better to go for the same brand as prescribed by the doctor.

14. Will any problem of taking the medicine after the expiry date?
All pharmaceutical products must carry the date of manufacturing and date of expiry on their label. The period between the two dates is called as life period or shelf life. Under specific storage conditions the product is expected to be remain stable during this period.
The expiry date does not means than the medicine has actually been found to lose potency or become toxic after it, but the quality of the medicine is not assured beyond the expiry date, and the manufactures is not liable if any harm arises from the use of the product.
Infact, majority of solid oral dosage forms (tablet, capsules etc.) stored under ordinary conditions in unopened containers remain stable for 1-5 years after the expiry date. Liquid formulations are less stable. Suspensions clump by freezing. Injectable solutions may develop precipitate, become cloudy or discoloured by prolonged storage.
An adrenaline injection in ampoule has been found to lose potency few months after expiry dates and it gets oxidized. Outdated tetracycline capsules produced renal tubular damage.
Though, majority of medicines, especially solid dosage forms remain safe and active years after the expiry date but their use cannot be legally allowed beyond this date.


15. Can one take allopathic medicine along with ayurveda medicines?
If not indicated otherwise by the doctor, Ayurveda Medicines can generally be taken along with allopathic medicines. Moreover, Ayurveda Medicines are used as adjuvant to allopathic medicines in most of chronic and degenerative diseases. As such there is no harm to consume simple over the counter medicine even without the prescription of the doctor but when they are using along with the ayurvedic medicine must be used after due consultation and advice of the doctor.

16. What do prescription abbreviations mean?
Centuries ago, all medical prescriptions were written in Latin.
Currently, only one section of the prescription that is the directions for taking the drug uses abbreviations in Latin.

Partial list of prescription abbreviations


Abbreviations
Latin
Meaning

1
aa
ana
Of each day
2
alt.h.
alternis horis
Every other hour
3
a.m.
Ante meridiem
Morning, before noon.
4
amt

amount
5
aq
aqua
water
6
bis
bis
twice
7
b.i.d
Bis in die
Twice daily
8
B.S.

Blood sugar
9
Cap. Caps.
capsula
capsule
10
c
cibos
food
11
cc
Cum cibos
With food
12
Cr., crm.

cream
13
dil.

dilute
14
disp.

dispense
15
D.W

Distilled water
16
elix.

elixir
17
et
et
and
18
fl.,fld.

fluid
19
g

gram
20
h,hr
hora
hour
21
h.s.
hora somni
at bed time
22
ID

intradermal
23
IM

intramuscular
24
IV

intravenous
25
lin.
linimentum
liniment
26
liq.
liquor
solution
27
mcg

microgram
28
mg

milligram
29
mL

milliliter
30
oz

ounce
31
p.c.
post cibum
after meals
32
p.m.
post meridium
evening or after noon
33
q.a.d.
quoque alternis die
every other day
34
q.a.m.
quoque die ante meridium
every day before noon
36
q.i.d
quarter in die
four times a day
37
qqh
quarter quoque hora
every four hours
38
s.o.s., si op. sit
si opus sit
if there is a need
39
ss
semis
one half
40
stat
statim
immediately
41
susp

suspension
42
syr
syrupus
syrup
43
tab
tabella
tablet
44
tbsp

table spoon
45
tsp

tea spoon
46
t.i.d
ter in die
three times a day
47
t.d.s
ter die sumendum
three times a day
48
t.i.w

three times a week
49
top

topical
50
w

with
51
w/o

without
52
x

times
53
Y.O

years old








17. What do mean by ‘Rx’ in the prescription?
Rx is an abbreviation of the Latin word "recipe," meaning "take," or as a representation of the astrological sign of Jupiter.
This sign was placed on ancient prescriptions to invoke that deity's blessing on the medicine to help the person get well.

18. What do drug caution codes mean?
Abbreviations on medications that indicate caution, drug caution codes provide very valuable warnings.
They include both universal and specific caution codes:
Universal caution codes:
D = drowsiness
H = habit forming
I = interaction
X = SOS (contains a substance such as acetaminophen that could cause problems consult your pharmacist)
Special caution codes
ASA = contains acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
C = caution
G = glaucoma
S = diabetes
These special caution codes are intended to be warnings for patients with specific medical conditions. For example, a person with hypertension might see the generic "C" code on a prescription bottle or vial if the medication might raise his or her blood pressure.
19. What are the principles of prescription writing?
· Write the prescription on the letterhead.
· Write legibly and indelibly.
· Write the patient’s name, age and address.
· Do not abbreviate name of the drugs/ preparations or instructions about taking medicine. Write units not u. write mcg not mg.
· When decimals are unavoidable, write 0.5, not 5.
· Write clearly the dose, dosing interval, time of the day, relation to meals and duration of therapy.
· When prescribing a drug as required, write the minimum dosing interval and number of doses per day.
· In case of scheduled drug, write the quantity of the drug to be supplied at the name and how many times the prescribed drug may be supplied without revalidation.
· Advise the parents/patients that, no medicine should be added to the infant’s feeding bottle; tablets/capsules should be taken in sitting position and washed down with plenty of water; ointments should be used as supplied and not diluted before use; residual ointment after use by one patient should be discarded and not stored for future use.
· Sign the prescription.
· Write date and your registration number.
20. How to use dry syrup? Once open how long can use the dry syrup?

Dry syrup can use by converting the powder into the syrup form by adding boiled and cooled water up to the mark on the bottle, and shake well for the uniform dispersing of the drug.
Once open all dry syrup should be use within a week and should not be reuse the syrup.
21. Once open how long an eye drop/ nasal drop can use?

Once open an eye drop/nasal drop should use within a month and it should not reuse after a month.
22. How to use dispersible tablet?

Dispersible tablet formulations are simple formulation containing a single disintegrating agent for a single time use. Dispersible tablet dissolve in a teaspoon of water and can use. The action of dispersible tablet is faster than other type of tablets this is indicated on the strip as ‘DT’
E.g.: Dolonex-DT, Mox-DT.

23. What are the drugs which want to take before meal?

The drugs which contain following want to taken in empty stomach 1 hour before meal or 2 hour after meal.
Ampicillin, Astemizole, Azithromycin, Azulene, Benserazide + levodopa, Bethnechol, Carbidopa + Levodopa, captopril, Ceftibuten, chloramphenicol, cisapride, cyanocobalamine, dicloxacilline, dipyridamole, enoxacin, entecavir, erythromycin estolate, Etoposide, ferrous sulphate, ferrous fumarate, iron, iron+ vitamin B complex, isoniazid, isoniazid+ pyrazinamide + rifampicin, isosorbid dinitrate, isosorbid mononitrate, Itopride hydrochloride, Ivermectin, lanzoprazole, lincomycin, loracarbef, mercaptopurine, metoclopramide, metronidazole, nafcillin, nicergoline, norfloxacine, ofloxacin, omeprazole, oxytetracycline, pantoprazole, penicillamine, penicillin V,G, pirenzepine, propantheline, quinapril, roxithromycin, salbutamol, sorbitol, tetracycline, thalidomide, thioguanine, thyroxine, voriconazole, zafirlukast, zalcitabine, zinc supplements.


24. If forgot to take a medicine which want to take meal, then when can take the next dose?

Most of the medicines want to take before meal, should take 1 hour before meal. If forgot to take the medicine before meal, should take it 2 hour after the meal.

25. What are the drugs keeping under tongue?

Isosorbid dinitrate- isordil, sorbitrate
Nitroglycerine- nitro-bid, nitro-dur, nitro- stat, transderm-nitro, minitran.
Glyceryl trinitrate-GTN-sorbitrate-CR, glynit, myocare, myonit, myovin, vasovin, nitroglyn, nitrogesic, nitrocure.
Buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual- suboxone.

26. What will happen if the antibiotics like Azithromycin and roxithromycin are taken immediately after food?
The antibiotics like Azithromycin and roxithromycin want to take 1 hour before meal or 2 hour after meal since food reduces the absorption of the medicine. Azithromycin should not be taken at the same time as aluminum- or magnesium- based antacids because antacids will bind the azithromycin and prevent it from being absorbed from the intestine.



27. Any problem or side effect of using oral antibiotics?
The common side effects of oral antibiotic are stomach upset, nausea, diarrhoea. Other side effects include increased sun sensitivity, headache, and allergic reactions. Some antibiotics are more prone to causes some kind of side effects than others. For example sun sensitivity is most common in doxycycline type of antibiotic

28. Will oral antibiotics affect my teeth?

The antibiotics like tetracycline are deposited in the developing teeth, where they cause irreversible yellowish brown staining of the teeth. The tetracycline should not be given to babies or children younger than 8 years of age because of the staining of the teeth.

29. What do mean by OTC medicine?
OTC means Over the Counter medicines. These are the medicines which we can buy without the prescription of the doctor.
OTC medicines many times to relieve pain and treat symptoms. OTC medicines include pain relieves, antihistaminic, decongestants and cough medicines.

30. What over the counter medication can I use for decongestion?
Decongestions can improve nasal congestion and relieve most common symptoms. These include over the counter oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (benadryl), cetrazine NSAIDS, mucolytics (mucus thinning medication). Decongestants nose sprays and drops are available over the counter. However these products should not be used for more than three times a day because your body can depend on them.

31. What are the common side effects of OTC decongestants?
Side effects are usually not a problem for those who use decongestants once a while. Side effects can be concern of people who have health problem or use decongestants for a prolonged period of time. Pseudoephedrine may make some people feel nervousness, palpitation (feeling like your head is racing) or sleeping problem.

32. Is there other reason I should talk to my doctor before taking a decongestants?

If you have any of the condition below, you should talk to your doctor before taking decongestants.
Heart disease.
High blood pressure.
Kidney disease.
Glaucoma.
Thyroid disease.
Diabetes.


33. What is the most important information I should know about albendazole (drug use to expel worms)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to albendazole, or to similar medications such as mebendazole.
Before using albendazole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or if you have liver disease or have ever had abnormal liver function tests.
You should not use albendazole if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using albendazole, and for at least 1 month after your treatment ends. Take albendazole with food to lessen stomach upset. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Albendazole will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

34. What are the causes for gastritis? What kind of tablet should be taken for the sudden attack of gastritis?

Gastritis is the abnormal burning effect, inflammation, mild irritation or the lining of the stomach. The common reasons for gastritis are bacterial or viral infection, excess or infection production of acids in stomach as a result of heavy smoking, alcohol use, caffeine, improper diet such as spicy, greasy foods, stress and consumption of certain drugs.
Digene, gelusil chewable tablets and ranitidine are commonly using for the sudden attack of gastritis.


35. What are the uses of folic acid, iron and calcium in pregnant women?
Folic Acid:
- Folic acid which prevents birth defects
- The daily requirement for folic acid in pregnant women is 400 mcg.
- Helps protect against a number of congenital malformations including neural tube defects. Neural tube defects result in malformations of the, skull, and brain. The risk of neural tube defects is significantly reduced when supplemental folic acid is consumed in addition to a healthy diet prior to and during the first month following conception.

Iron:
-Iron is used by the body to carry oxygen, iron is in hemoglobin.
In case of pregnancy body makes more blood for you and your baby and it needs iron to make blood. Having low iron levels make you feel tired, have poor concentration and a higher risk of infection.
Calcium:
Calcium is essential for the formation and maintenance of healthy bone. Calcium helpful for the growth, maintenance and reproduction of the body.
36. Is calcium supplements should they be taken with meal?
Whether calcium supplements should be taken with meals depends on what the supplements contain. If your calcium supplements contain calcium carbonate, take them with meals. Stomach acid enhances absorption of calcium carbonate. If your calcium supplements contain calcium citrate, you can take them with meals or on empty stomach.
37. Is the intake of aspirin tablet in a patient who is having daily consumption of alcohol will lead to bleeding ulcer?
Yes. Alcohol may interact with aspirin tablet. Both aspirin and alcohol (ethanol) can cause stomach irritation and may potentially damage the lining of the stomach. In some cases, this damage may be so severe that it causes a bleeding ulcer. When aspirin and alcohol are used at the same time, the risk of developing a bleeding ulcer may be increased for up to 36 hours after the dose of aspirin is taken. To minimize this risk, avoid using aspirin for 12 hours after alcohol has been consumed.
38. Is alcohol having any interaction with paracetamol tablet?

Both alcohol (ethanol) and acetaminophen can cause damage to the liver. The risk of experiencing liver damage may be increased when alcohol and acetaminophen are used together. This potential interaction is more likely to occur when alcohol is combined with high doses of acetaminophen, or when alcohol and acetaminophen are both used daily over a long period of time. People who consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day should avoid using high doses of acetaminophen or avoid using acetaminophen on a regular basis.

39. Can paracetamol syrup can be use for mild cold?
Paracetamol syrup can give for mild cold as single time use. But the long time use of this medicine causes severe side effects. So its better go for any other type of anti cold medicine for mild cold hen paracetamol
40. What is BMI?
The body mass index (BMI), or Quetelet index, is a statistical measurement which compares a person's weight and height. Though it does not actually measure the percentage of body fat, it is a useful tool to estimate a healthy body weight based on how tall a person is.
BMI (kg/m2) =weight in Kgs/ height in meters2.
BMI weight status categories:
BMI WEIGHT STATUS
Below 18.5 under weight
18.5-24.9 normal
25-29.9 overweight
30& above obese.
41. What are the First aids?
1. Artificial respiration:

Mouth to Mouth: This is appropriate and effective technique for emergency artificial respiration.
Keep the head slightly backward and open the jaw.
Seal the casualty’s nose to prevent escape of air by pinching with thumb and index finger.
Take a deep breath, open your mouth widely, place it over the victim’s mouth and make a tight seal.
Quickly blow the full breath into the mouth of victim.
Remove your mouth from the victim and allow him to exhale passively.
Repeat the procedure 12 to 15 times per minute, till medical aid is arranged.
Arrange immediate medical aid.

2. Burns:

Pour running cold water on the affected part.
Do not apply ointments or oils or any other substance.
Cover the wound with sterilized cloth.
Give artificial respiration, if needed.
Prevent shock.
Arrange immediate medical aid.
3. Fractures:

Signs of Fracture: Pain, Tenderness, Swelling,
Loss of Power, Deformity
Do not move the injured unless the life is endangered from other causes.
Deal with the hemorrhage and breathing difficulties. Immobilize the fracture by using suitable splints.
Immobilization should include one joint above and one joint below the fracture.
Remove the injured to the hospital.

4. Wounds:
· Stop the bleeding, if any.
· Avoid touching the wounds.
· Cover the wound with sterilized cloth.
· Arrange immediate medical aid.
5. Eye injuries:
Removal of foreign body should not be attempted.
Do not apply oil or ointment.
Apply sterile pad and loose bandage.
Send the patient to the hospital.
6. Abdominal wound:
Make the patient lie down.
Remove all clothing except the underwear.
Keep the patient under the fan.
Pour cold water on the body repeatedly.
Wash the head thoroughly with cold water and dry it with towel.
Record body temperature falls up to 38ºC stop pouring water.
Give plenty of cold water with a pinch of common salt in each glass of water to drink.
Send the patient to the hospital.
Make the patient sit on a Chair with head downward.

7. Bleeding nose:
Pinch the nose with fingers and thumb.
Apply ice or cold compression.
Do not plug the nostrils.
Do not put water or any medicine through the nostrils.
Send for medical aid immediately.
8. Foreign bodies in the nose:
Do not try to remove the solid object
Ask the patient to breathe through mouth.
Send the patient to the hospital.
9. Foreign bodies in the ear:
Solid – Do not try to remove, scratch or probe it.
Insects – Put a few drops of water in the ear and turn the head so that affected ear points upwards.
Keep the head in that position for 5 minutes, then turn the head downwards so that the water flows out.
Arrange immediate medical aid.
10. Snake bite:
Reassure the patient
Do not allow the person to run or walk
Apply a ligature above the wound (in between the heart and the wound) if the bite is in the leg or hand.

Wash the wound with potassium permanganate solution or with soap and water.
Allow free bleeding.
Never suck the blood from the wound.
Treat for shock.
Arrange immediate hospitalization, by transporting the patient in a lying down position.
11. Bleeding ear:
Do not cover the wound.
Send the patient to hospital for treatment.
12. Insect bite:
The sting bite should be pulled out.
Apply cold compression.
Apply vinegar diluted with water.
Soda-bicarbonate paste should be applied at the site.
Prevent shock.
Send for medial aid immediately.
13. Chemical burns of the eye:
Immediate washing of the eye with clean water at least for fifteen minute or longer.
Apply sterile dressing over the eye.
Neutralizing agents or ointments should not be used.
Send the patient to the hospital.
14. Dog bite:
Clean the wound immediately with water.
Then wash with antiseptic soap and water.
Do not try to stop bleeding.
Switch off the current at once.
Do not attempt first aid until the contact has been broken.
Make the air passage clear and clean.
Restore breathing Artificial respiration and external cardiac massage, if needed.
Call for immediate medical aid.
Send the patient to the hospital.