Medication
It is important that you know about the medications you may be taking as a result of your spinal cord injury. Be an informed consumer! Your physician, pharmacist, nurse, and the rest of your rehabilitation team can provide you with the knowledge you need to take your medications in a responsible manner.
General
Before you take any medications, it is important to know the following information:
- the name and purpose of each drug you are taking
- when and how your medication should be taken
- how long your medication should be taken
- what side effects can occur
- what happens if you do not take your medication
- what foods, drugs or alcohol should be avoided with these drugs
- what follow-up care is required for the drugs you are taking
- how your medication should be stored
Drug names
Each drug will have two names—the generic name or chemical name and a trade or brand name. For example, acetaminophen is the generic name of the commonly used painkiller, whereas Tylenol is one of the trade names of this drug. It is important to be aware that drugs can be listed under two different names.
The usual way to identify a drug when you have a prescription filled is by generic name. Generic and trade names can cause some confusion. Be aware of both names for each drug you are taking.
Scheduling medications
Take your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. To be effective, most drugs must be taken on a regularly scheduled basis. This ensures that adequate levels are available in your body. This is especially important for antibiotics and drugs that are used for spasticity.
The only exceptions would be those drugs that are taken on an “as needed” basis such as painkillers or sedatives.
Drugs and pregnancy
Certain drugs can pass from the mother of the fetus with potentially serious side effects. If you are or plan on becoming pregnant, tell your doctor.
Side effects of drugs
Many drugs can produce unwanted side effects. Some side effects are expected and tolerable. Often they can be controlled by a dosage adjustment.
However, there are severe allergic reactions to some drugs that can be very serious. Generally, side effects tend to occur soon after you begin taking the medication. Below in this section, only the more commonly occurring side effects are listed. Therefore, it is very important to observe any unusual effects that occur when you start taking your medication.
You should let your physician know whether you have had any strange or different effects than expected. Observe for any
skin reaction, stomach upset, dizziness or drowsiness, tiredness, or other unusual effect. You should keep an accurate record of side effects you experience with any drug. If you experience a bothersome reaction, notify your physician immediately.
Drug interactions
An interaction can occur when two or more drugs are taken together. One drug may increase or interfere with the action of another drug. It is important for your physician to know about all the drugs that you take. This includes drugs you can purchase without a prescription such as aspirin or cold remedies as well as herbal drugs.
Alcohol, when combined with certain drugs, can cause serious interactions and effects. For example, alcohol can increase the effect of drugs such as muscle relaxants and sedatives, making you drowsy or dizzy and unable to drive properly. For your own safety, DO NOT DRINK AND TAKE DRUGS TOGETHER.