Why do I have to spread out my medication doses?
If you take multiple medications every day, your doctor or pharmacist might instruct you to take your medications at different times. You may be directed to spread out your medication doses for multiple reasons including to:
- Reduce drug interactions: Lessens your risk of an interaction between your medications.
- Increase effectiveness: To make your medication work better.
- Reduce side effects: Taking multiple medications at once can cause side effects.
- Increase absorption: Allows your body to absorb the medication properly.
- Target symptoms: Some medications require specific time windows to work best. For example, taking sleeping aids before bedtime.
- Maintain concentration: Keep the amount of medication regulated in your body.
This may also apply to you if you take the same medication multiple times throughout the day.
Always ask your healthcare team about the best time to take a new medication. It is important to take your medication as prescribed.
If you are an ExactCare patient and have questions about your medication, give us a call at 1-877-355-7225. Our pharmacists are here to help!
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000883.htm
