![]()
|
|
Spinal-Injury.net : Spinal Cord Injury - Medication
|
| |
A medication is a substance that is taken to prevent or to cure
a medical problem. The proper use of medications is a very
important aspect of your management after spinal cord injury.
Taken correctly, medications have a positive effect on your
body. However, if care is not taken, medications can cause many
problems.
Once you leave the hospital, you will be responsible for the
medications you take. In order to increase the effectiveness of
your medications, it is important that you understand their use.
Specifically, you need to know:
The name of each medication you are taking
The purpose of each medication
The possible side effects of each medication, and
The problems that could result if the medication is taken in
combination with other medications, certain foods, alcohol, etc.
Precautions
Following are precautions that you, as an individual, can take
to ensure that the medications are taken safely:
1. If your doctor prescribes an unfamiliar medication, ask
him/her about it. Write down the information he/she gives you.
Other sources of information are your nurse, your pharmacist and
the literature that may be enclosed with the medication.
Questions you should ask include:
Can I take this in combination with other medications?
Are there any special precautions I need to take when using this
medication?
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medication?
Should it be kept in a refrigerator?
Should it be taken before or after a meal?
What are the possible side effects of taking this medication?
2. Read and follow the specific directions on the label. Take
the medication exactly as directed, at the right time, and for
the full length of time prescribed by your doctor. If you are
using an over-the-counter (non-prescription) medication, follow
the directions on the label, unless otherwise directed by your
doctor.
3. Tell each of your doctors and nurses what medications you are
or have taken in the past few weeks. Don't forget
non-prescription medicines, such as aspirin, laxatives, and
antacids.
4. Know all medications to which you are allergic.
5. Report to your doctor any unusual symptoms that occur when
taking the medication. Remember: each person reacts differently
to each medication.
6. Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery)
or emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist about any
medication you are taking.
7. Destroy old medications by flushing them down the toilet.
Medications may change characteristics as they age, so an old
medication may not only be useless, it may be dangerous.
8. Keep all medications out of reach of children.
Skin Breakdown
pneumonia
Osteoporosis and Fractures
Heterotopic Ossification
Spasticity
Urinary Tract
Infections
Autonomic Dysreflexia
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Pulmonary Embolism
Orthostatic Hypotension
Cardiovascular Disease
Syringomyelia
Neuropathic / Spinal Cord Pain
Medication Problems
Hyperthermia
Hypothermia
|
Back to top
|
Spinal-Injury.net : Spinal Cord Injury - Medication
|
|
![]()
|
|
|
