Timings To Take Drugs

[rockyracoon]

I've got to take a load of tablets for two weeks, can someone help me out with timings to take them, my heads wrecked thinking ahout it.

I usually get up about 6.30.

Pantoprazole twice a day
Metronidazole three times a day
Clarithromycin twice a day
Tripotassium Dicitratobismuthate four times a day

I'm going to be rattling by the end of it. Not looking forward to it at all :(

[Buenchico]

You've not said whether the instructions say to take the tablets with meals, after meals or well away from meals. You've also not mentioned if you've been told to leave certain time periods between taking one type of tablet and another.

However, in the absence of any other information, my own plan (if I had to take that lot) would be as follows:

Breakfast: All 4
Lunch: Metronidazole & Tripotassium Dicitratobismuthate
Tea: All 4
Bedtime: Tripotassium Dicitratobismuthate

[rockyracoon]

Thanks Chris, that sounds sensible. I don't pick them up til tomorrow, but from memory I don't think there are any times to avoid etc food wise.

[Dizmo]

To add to Chris' answer. Don't eat, drink (except water) or take any other medication 30 minutes prior and 30 minutes after taking Tripotassium Dicitratobismuthate (taken with water). Bedtime is certainly the best time to take it - or in the morning.

[anneasquith]

rocky, I would think information re times will be given with your medication.

[Buenchico]

If there are complicating factors in the schedule (as indicated by Dizmo) it might be best to sit down with the pharmacist and draw up a written schedule of when to take the drugs. (That's why pharmacies always have private consultation rooms; I'm sure that most dispensing pharmacists would welcome someone seeking such advice - they probably get mighty fed up of simply counting out tablets all day long!)

[Dizmo]

Chris: Agreed. Most pharmacists will ask if you know how and when to take a combination of drugs like that.

[mazie]

Bloody hell Rocky that's a lot of drugs.. Hope it all works for you xxx

[PankySmooch]

When my nan was on lots of medication the nurse said the best way to remember the timings was to get an old cardboard egg carton and place the tablets in each egg holder and write the times on the top of each cone, if that makes sense

[rockyracoon]

Blimey, I think I will speak to the pharmacist. I'm worried about mucking it up. The specialist already accused me of not taking the last lot properly when I know I did. Not a happy bunny at all.

Panky have thought of something similar, but the tablets will have to travel to work with me. Might look into a dosset box.

[Dizmo]

Rockyracoon: Dosset box's are ideal. Mine has 28 compartments (7 days x 4 dosages a day). I'm on about 48 tablets a day so remembering when to take them is impossible!

[PankySmooch]

Don't do what my nan did and get the times mixed up with the quantity, by 8 o'clock that night she looked like Ziggy Stardust

[rockyracoon]

Well, I asked the pharmacist, what a nightmare, this on empty stomach, that on something in your stomach, don't drink milk on it's own, don't drink fruit juice or eat fruit at certain times.

Poor sod had to go and get a book out. At least I can take antihistamines when my poor body decides to react to that lot.

No booze either, very sad face :(

[Dizmo]

I sympathise with you on every level there mate.

[boxtops]

I've never heard pillboxes called dosette boxes before - I had to go and look it up. Poor you, rockette - I hope it works.

[Peter Pedant]

Well done Chris - good timing and a sensible schedule

[rockyracoon]

Right, just sat and worked this out, here's my regime for the next two weeks.

6.30am Trip dic with 1/2 glass of water (not sure how big a glass is !)
7.00am Metro, Panto and Clari with a small bite to eat
12.30pm Trip Dic with the water
3.00pm Metro with a small bite to eat
6.00pm Trip Dic with water
7.00pm Panto and Clari
9.00pm Trip Dic with water
11.00pm Metro with a small bite.

I have to fit lunch and dinner round that too, and my live yoghurt.

[PankySmooch]

Don't run anywhere you'll sound like a tube of smarties

[rockyracoon]

Tell me about it. Too much room for error with that agenda.

I might have to push the time up an hour or so for the weekends, I'm not getting up at 6.30am, that's for sure.