Effects of drugs  Effects of drugs  Effects of drugs

Drugs help to cure diseases.
However, some medicines are bad for the body.

 Does a larger dose of a drug work better?
Does a larger dose of a drug work better?

The effectiveness of a drug depends on the amount of the drug that reaches the site of the disease. Blood is the main source of delivery of medicines to the site of disease. Therefore, the amount of drug delivered to the site of the disease depends on the concentration of the drug in the blood (blood concentration).

If you take more than the prescribed amount, your blood concentration may increase too much, which can be harmful. On the other hand, if the dosage is too low, the blood concentration will not rise and the drug will not be effective.
It is important to take the prescribed amount of medicine.

 Does a larger dose of a drug work better?  Does a larger dose of a drug work better?
 What is the correct term?

There is an optimum dosage for each medicine to work.
Please take them as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

 How long do the effects of a medicine last?
How long do the effects of a medicine last?

Depending on the type of drug, the effect of a drug taken three times a day lasts for 4 to 6 hours once taken. After that, the drug is decomposed and dissolved in urine and passed out of the body.
A medicine taken once a day lasts for one day, and a medicine taken twice a day lasts for half a day. If a patient misses a dose, the amount of the drug in the bloodstream decreases, and the drug will not be effective.
In order to maximize the effects of a drug, rules are established for the number of times and duration of doses.

 Frivolous knowledge

Rules for taking medicines Before meals = 30 minutes to 1 hour before a meal
After meals = within 30 minutes after a meal
Between meals = when you are hungry between one meal and the next (about 2 hours after a meal)
Before bedtime = 30 minutes to 1 hour before bed


Rules for taking medicines are determined based on the duration of the effects and safety of the medicines Take your medicine by following the rules. Follow the rules carefully and take your medicine accordingly.

 Is it safe to stop taking the medicine once I feel better?
When I feel better, is it okay to stop taking the medicine? Is it safe to stop taking the medicine when I feel better?

Do not stop using the medicine you received at the hospital without permission even if you feel that your symptoms are getting better. If you suddenly stop using it, it may make your condition worse.
In the case of antibiotics, if you stop taking a drug when the bacteria are weakened by the drug, the remaining bacteria may increase again and your symptoms may become worse than before.
Do not make your own decisions about how to take a medicine or how long to take it.

 Frivolous knowledge

What are antibiotics? Antibiotics are one of the antibacterial drugs. Antibiotics are drugs that kill or weaken bacteria. They are effective against bacteria, but not so effective against viral colds.
There are various types of antibacterial drugs, including penicillin, which is produced by microorganisms, and artificially synthesized drugs.

Do not make the decision to stop taking a medicine on your own. Follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist.

 Does the medicine work faster if I chew it down?
Does the medicine work faster if I chew it down?

Tablets and capsules are designed to ensure that they are effective.

To mask bitterness and to prevent destruction by stomach acid, a special coating is applied to the tablet.
If you chew on a tablet or open a capsule before taking a medicine, it is likely to cause side effects in the stomach, or the effects may not last as long as they should.
If you find tablets or capsules too large to swallow, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

 Does the medicine work faster if I chew it down?  Does the medicine work faster if I chew it down?
 What is the correct term?

Swallow tablets and capsules without distorting their shape.

 A single drug may be useful for multiple ailments.
A single drug may be useful for multiple ailments.

Some medicines can play multiple roles.

For example, antipyretic analgesics.
These are medicines that can lower fever, prevent swelling of injured parts, and ease pain.
Since antipyretic and analgesic drugs can be used to treat a number of illnesses, they are used to treat multiple illnesses and injuries, such as a fever due to a cold, a broken bone, or a headache.

 A single drug may be useful for multiple ailments.  A single drug may be useful for multiple ailments.
 Frivolous knowledge

When you receive a prescription for a medicine, be sure to ask what the medicine is for and what it is supposed to do.

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Supervised by Mayumi Mochizuki (Professor Emeritus, Keio University)