Medication Myths:
No Appointment Necessary
Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, July 22 and September 9, 2007
Show 417
Dr. Lisa Thornton:
Just about everyone knows a medical myth. Most are pretty harmless, but others can be potentially dangerous.
John Jenkins, RPh:
I think the most common myth out there is that someone who's larger than average needs to take more pain medication to get relief.
Dr. Lisa Thornton:
Not true at all. Just because someone's taller or heavier it doesn't mean they need to take more pain relief.
John Jenkins, RPh:
Right. Taking more than the recommended dose could lead to serious health problems. So read the label and only take the recommended dose.
Dr. Lisa Thornton:
Another myth I want to correct is about pill size. Pills that are about the same size do not have the same amount of medicine in them.
John Jenkins, RPh:
Exactly. A 325 milligram dose of one medicine might be the same size pill as a 500 milligram dose of another medicine. So once again, read the label and only take what's recommended.
Dr. Lisa Thornton:
And here's another one I deal with a lot. It's never okay to give a smaller dose of an adult medicine to a child or infant.
John Jenkins, RPh:
Oh absolutely, Dr. Lisa. Children are not small adults. Adult medicines are stronger than what they need and that's why children and infants should always take medicines especially formulated for their age and weight.