What do you do if you miss a dose of your medications?

TSgt Joe C. — Sat, 13 May 2017 12:58:30 -0400

My question is based on daily medications we are prescribed and perhaps miss on some days. I want to know what you all do as far as when you realize you missed the dose and the time of day it is when you realize it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2017 1:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 May 2017 13:00:16 -0400

Maybe someone can tell us here which medicines don't work like that? I feel that's okay the way I voted.
I voted to take it at that moment you remembered skipping then take it again when you are supposed to.
If you are taking the 2nd dosage in an hour, then I would not take 2 dosages.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made May 13 at 2017 1:08 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Sat, 13 May 2017 13:08:32 -0400

My medicines have instruction on missed doses but usually the ones with a time set to take it and only one dose per day I have to just skip that dose and take it at the right time next day. Fortunately it does not happen very often for me to miss that dose.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made May 13 at 2017 2:19 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 13 May 2017 14:19:35 -0400

That kinda depends on what time I was SUPPOSED to take the medication and what time of day I finally realize I didn't take it. If I'm 12+ hours away from the next scheduled dose, I'll usually take it and move on to the next day. If it's less than 6-8 hours until next dose, I tend to skip the missed one and wait for the next normal scheduled time. Those little AM/PM day-of-the-week pill organizers are the bomb-diggety far as I'm concerned.

I'm lucky in that the condition I'm treating doesn't depend on exact timed dosages. I can even skip one day here and there without upsetting the balance. The problem comes in when I forget for several days in a row......

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2017 3:26 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 May 2017 15:26:58 -0400

TSgt Joe C. Reading the literature that came with the medication should answer your questions. I take my medication twice a day, so I try not to be more than two hours late taking it. If I know I will be out late, I take my medication with me. I have forgot one time to take it, and I did not take a double dose.

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/Controlleddocuments/Patientinformation/Pharmacy/WhatshouldIdoifImissadoseofmymedicine-patientinformation.pdf

WhatshouldIdoifImissadoseofmymedicine-patientinformation.pdf

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2017 7:12 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 May 2017 19:12:14 -0400

I think every med I have has instructions as to what to do if a dose is missed. And I take a lot of meds.

Read the instructions and follow what it says. It may well be different for different meds.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 13 at 2017 8:20 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 13 May 2017 20:20:06 -0400

TSgt Joe C. what you do depends on the type of medication. I would have selected multiple if that were an option. Some medications such as analgesics may well be okay to take as soon as you remember and then adjust when you take does the rest of the day.
Blood pressure medications and diabetic medications need to be followed carefully. I have taken double doses of beta blockers [accidentally] and other blood pressure medications on purpose once with significant negative results.
Generally for strong antibiotics if you miss a dose and you recognize it about half way between does it is best to wait and take your next dose.
All serious medications have instructions on what to do in this case. If in doubt ask a pharmacist after ensure you let them know what other medications and supplements you are taking, if they don't know.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Thomas Tennant MAJ Ken Landgren Capt Seid Waddell CW5 Private RallyPoint Member SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSG Leo Bell SSgt Private RallyPoint Member SrA Christopher Wright PO3 Steven Sherrill PO1 John Miller Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM SPC Margaret Higginsuring they know everything you are taking.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made May 13 at 2017 9:19 PM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Sat, 13 May 2017 21:19:30 -0400

It's dependent on the type of meds how I react to missing. If I know it's safe to take the moment I forget and then resume my regularly scheduled dosing, I'll do that. Otherwise, I'll skip a dose and resume tomorrow.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made May 14 at 2017 12:35 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Sun, 14 May 2017 00:35:22 -0400

Depends on the medication. Its a good idea to talk with your Primary Doctor and go over what you should do. What Iv'e learned is that some meds are meant to be taken at a certain time of day for a reason.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 14 at 2017 1:08 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 14 May 2017 01:08:29 -0400

Depends upon the med - read the instructions that come with it to be certain.

Response by PO3 Christopher Jonah Nelson made May 14 at 2017 3:52 AM

PO3 Christopher Jonah Nelson — Sun, 14 May 2017 03:52:52 -0400

Some medicines are not safe to miss a dose, like lithium carbonate, which can kill you if you miss too many.

Other medicines are not safe to take outside of the prescribed time, and missing a dose means you take it at the next prescribed time.

Still other medicines must be taken at a certain quantity per 24 hours, and so must be taken immediately upon noticing that a dose was missed.

If you want a real answer to the question, you need to speak with a pharmacist. NOT a physician, a pharmacist. Physicians are specialists in the body and have general knowledge about medicines but pharmacists are specialists in medications and are often consulted by physicians who are looking for a more in-depth understanding of how a drug works.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2017 3:57 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 May 2017 03:57:29 -0400

As a former Medic, the advice I give (as such) is that you can do one of two things....1) Continue your dosage as prescribed or 2) Seek the advice your Medical Provider.

I HIGHLY recommend #2.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 15 at 2017 11:07 AM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Mon, 15 May 2017 11:07:06 -0400

Depends on the medication and what you are taking it for. If it was something extremely integral to my life, I would call my doctor's office and ask them do I re-dose or wait until the next one.

I know with my daughter there are times she's puked after taking all her meds and if she was in the hospital the nurses would ask the doctors about should they re-dose. Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Depends on how soon or long after she had taken it she puked it up.

I suggest you set an alarm to remind yourself to take your medication. Especially if it's serious.