taking pills

[joko]

would it be better to take one pill every 2 hours, as opposed to two every four hours...?
i know the instructions usually say 2 every 4 hours...but would it matter?

i refer mainly to painkillers

thanks

[Teleph0ne]

I don't think they would be as effective if took singley even though you are taking the same amount in the end.

[boxtops]

I think it gives the timing for a good reason, something to do with how long it takes your liver to process the substances?

[Whickerman]

Dosage is important - think of it this way:
You go to thepub and neck 7 pints in an hour. Guessing you'll definitely feel the effect, right?
Now, go to the pub once a night for a week and have one pint a time. You'll feel no noticeable affect due to your body's ability to deal with the dose - the way it metabolises it.
Similarly, your body may metabolise a smaller dose quickly before it can have the desired effect, hence the need to take the dose as described in your prescription or pill bottle.
The other side of the story: Bear in mind that medicines are toxins too, so they need to hit the part they treat fast, then allow your body to get rid of them so you don't end up poisoned.

[Jemisa]

'and something similar...when you have medication which instructs you to (say) "take one three times a day" it means a 24 hour day, NOT just when its daylight.
For instance Take one at 8am, one at 4pm and one at 12 mid-night, then one at 8am and so on.............So that your body is benefitting 24-7 not just daylight hours.

Aunty Jem.

[Sqad]

It is a matter of pain relief.........what dose, makes you pain free.

If one pill, relieves the pain then take it until the pain returns and take another one,whenever that time may be.

If it takes two pills to relieve the pain than take two until the pain returns, whenever that may be and then another two.

It is the dose that relieves the pain that is important, not necessarily the timing.

[carlton23]

As an experienced patient in the art of taking pain killers for the last 5 years, I say that taking them before the pain returns is better than waiting, especially as sometimes you may be unable too, due to circumstances. So take them regularly. Sorry sqad.

[Sqad]

carlton.......don't apologise.....I have no disagreement with your method of pain control.