Mind your meds. Reading the fine print on prescription bottles is important, but almost half the participants in one study misunderstood drug warning labels, and most ignored the directions altogether, according to a survey in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported in September’s issue of Women’s Health. Don’t ignore advice to:
• Take with food or milk. Some meds behave better after snacks. On the other hand, the nutrients in food could prevent another drug from being absorbed properly.
• Avoid chewing or crushing. Some drugs are designed to be absorbed in the small intestine, so they’re coated with a substance that lets them pass through the stomach quickly.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight. About 10 percent of the population becomes so sensitive to light after taking certain drugs, including some oral contraceptives, that exposure can trigger a burn or rash.
• Limit alcoholic beverages. The drug will prevent your liver from processing alcohol.
• Take with plenty of water. Extra fluid (at least 8 ounces) ensures that it flows all the way into the stomach.
