We often complain that we have taken a lot of medicine, but the symptoms haven't improved. In fact, the method of taking medication is an important issue that needs attention, just like the side effects of medication. If the medicine doesn't work, it is likely that the way and timing of taking it are incorrect, which not only hinders the effectiveness of the medicine but also may lead to unexpected dangers. Here are three taboos that should be avoided.
(1) Paying no attention to dietary restrictions.
Some people like to take medicine with tea, which is also a mistake. Tea contains tannic acid, which can react chemically with proteins, alkaloids, or metal salts in the medicine, forming insoluble precipitates that affect absorption and reduce efficacy. When taking sedatives or calming Chinese medicine, it is especially important not to drink tea because tea contains caffeine, theobromine, and other substances that stimulate the central nervous system, which can interfere with the rest and recovery of the patient.
For those who have symptoms of "excessive internal heat", such as sore throat, bad breath, swollen gums, and constipation, it is not advisable to consume chili, garlic, pepper, alcohol, fried, or greasy food while taking heat-clearing and detoxifying medicine, as it may aggravate the symptoms. When taking tonics such as ginseng, Codonopsis pilosula, or Panax notoginseng, it is not recommended to eat radishes because radishes promote digestion and reduce the efficacy of the medicine. Conversely, if discomfort such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and abdominal distension occurs due to the use of tonics such as ginseng, radishes can be used to treat these symptoms. In general, when taking medication, it is advisable to consume less raw, cold, greasy, and difficult-to-digest food to avoid burdening the weakened spleen and stomach, worsening the condition, and counteracting the intended effects.
(2) Incorrect timing of medication.
Doctors often only specify whether the medication should be taken twice or three times a day, but they don't provide specific instructions on when to take it, such as whether to take it before or after meals. In the absence of clear instructions, patients have to rely on their own knowledge and experience of medication, which often leads to casual and inconsistent medication, resulting in a reduced efficacy of the medicine.
The best time to take medication should be based on the correspondence between the body's yin and yang cycles and the time of day, as this will maximize the effectiveness of the medication. For example, medications for inducing sweating and relieving surface symptoms should be taken in the morning. This is because the body's yang energy starts to rise from the Yin time (around 3-4 am), gradually strengthens, peaks in the morning, and then gradually weakens until the Shen time (around 3-4 pm) when yin energy becomes dominant. Sweating not only depletes the body's fluids but also expels yang energy. Therefore, medications for inducing sweating and relieving surface symptoms should be taken during the peak of yang energy in the morning to avoid excessive depletion of yang energy, which may result in reduced efficacy. The best timing for medication should consider the medication's effects and minimize harm to the body. For example, anthelmintic drugs and saline laxatives should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning because the stomach and duodenum are empty at this time, allowing the medication to quickly enter the intestines and achieve optimal efficacy. Conversely, medications that irritate the gastrointestinal tract and are not significantly neutralized by food should be taken 15-30 minutes after meals.
(3) Incorrect method of administration.
Improper administration of medication can also affect its effectiveness. For example, in the case of sudden onset of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is common to administer medication by placing it under the tongue. However, some people do not understand the reason behind this and simply put the medication under the tongue without any further action. In fact, the purpose of sublingual administration is to allow the medication to be directly absorbed through the oral mucosa and sublingual veins. Therefore, the correct method is to place the medication in the area under the tongue where there is more saliva. If possible, crush the emergency medication and give a small amount of water to help the medication be absorbed quickly and achieve the best efficacy.
Another example is swallowing pills without drinking water. This not only affects the efficacy of the medication but can also lead to adverse reactions. The dry medication passes through the throat and esophagus into the stomach. Water acts as a protector and lubricant for the esophagus. Water can accelerate the dissolution of the medication in the stomach, enhance gastrointestinal absorption, increase blood drug concentration, dilute food and gastric acid's destructive effects on the medication, and reduce the irritation of the medication to the gastrointestinal tract. For example, when taking sulfonamide drugs, due to the low solubility of their metabolites, they are prone to crystallize in the urinary tract, causing symptoms such as crystalluria, dysuria, hematuria, and urinary retention. Drinking plenty of water can accelerate excretion and reduce toxic side effects. Similarly, when taking antipyretic and analgesic drugs, drinking plenty of water can enhance the body's cooling ability and prevent dehydration and related conditions caused by excessive sweating.
