Research suggests that 80% of people occasionally miss a dose of medication. Therefore, it is important to know what to do if this happens.
Antibiotics are usually taken between 1-4 times a day. Ideally, your doses should be equally spaced throughout the day and taken at the same times each day. This will help to maintain a constant level of antibiotic in your bloodstream.
If you have missed one dose of antibiotic
In most cases, if you have missed one dose of antibiotic, you should not double the next dose. Instead, you should take your missed dose as usual as soon as you remember, or, if it is nearly time for your next dose of antibiotic, skip your missed dose altogether. You should not take a double dose of antibiotics because this increases the risk of side effects.
You should always refer to the patient information leaflet (PIL) that comes with your antibiotics, and will include specific advice about the antibiotic that you are taking.
The PIL contains the manufacturer's advice about what to do if you miss a dose of your antibiotics. If you have not been given a PIL with your medicine, ask your pharmacist for one.
If you have missed several doses of antibiotics
Contact your GP for advice if you have missed several doses of antibiotics, or more than one day's treatment. It is particularly important to see your GP if you have missed doses due to side effects, or illness.
Remembering to take your antibiotics
If you find it difficult to remember to take your antibiotics, you may find some of the ideas listed below useful.
- Combine taking your antibiotics with one of your usual daily activities. For example, take them after brushing your teeth. However, you will first need to check whether the medication needs to be taken before, or after, eating.
- Make a note in your diary, or on a wall calendar, after you take each dose.
- Set an alarm in order to remind you about when your next dose is due.
If you are still finding it difficult to remember to take your antibiotics, you should ask your pharmacist, or GP, about 'compliance aids'. Compliance aids are boxes that allow medicines to be put into labelled compartments. They can help by reminding you to take your antibiotics at specific times of the day, or on particular days of the week.
Always finish a course of antibiotics
You should always finish a course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. If you do not finish the course, or you miss several doses, the infection may come back.
You should never keep hold of antibiotics that you have taken in the past with a view to using them if you are unwell in the future.
Further information:
