Basic Medication Use: What to Take, When to Take It and How to Stay Safe

Fundamental Principles Before Any Medication

1. Every medication is an active chemical substance — there is no such thing as a "weak" or "harmless" drug. Even paracetamol can cause severe liver failure in overdose or combined with alcohol

2. Dose makes the poison — and the cure — always respect the indicated dosage

3. Indication matters more than the drug — taking an antibiotic for a viral flu doesn't treat the flu — it only destroys beneficial bacteria and builds resistance

4. Always report every medication you take — drug interactions are a leading cause of hospitalisation, including supplements and herbal remedies

5. Never stop antibiotics early — doing so selects for the most resistant bacteria

GROUP 1 — Analgesics and Antipyretics

Paracetamol (Acetaminophen / Tylenol)

Used for: fever, mild to moderate pain (headache, body aches, dental pain), muscle pain

Adult dose: 500 mg to 1g every 6 hours — maximum 4g per day

Child dose: 10–15 mg/kg every 6 hours — always calculate by weight, never by age

Onset of action: 30 to 60 minutes | Duration: 4 to 6 hours

✅ Safe for pregnant women, children and the elderly. Does not irritate the stomach. Can be taken on an empty stomach.

❌ NEVER combine with alcohol — risk of severe liver failure. Overdose is silent and irreversible — symptoms appear too late. Most combined cold and flu medications already contain paracetamol — taking them alongside plain paracetamol is a common accidental overdose.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nurofen)

Used for: fever, pain with an inflammatory component (sprains, tendinitis, cramps, post-surgical, toothache with swelling)

Adult dose: 400 mg every 8 hours — maximum 1,200 mg per day (OTC use) or up to 2,400 mg under medical guidance

Onset: 30 to 60 minutes | Duration: 6 to 8 hours

✅ A true anti-inflammatory — superior to paracetamol when inflammation is involved.

❌ Always take with food — irritates the stomach and can cause ulcers. Avoid with gastritis or peptic ulcer. Contraindicated in dengue fever. Avoid in the third trimester of pregnancy. Can impair kidney function when dehydrated — drink plenty of water.

Metamizole / Dipyrone (Novalgin)

Used for: high fever, moderate to severe pain, spasmodic cramps (unique antispasmodic effect)

Adult dose: 500 mg to 1g every 6–8 hours — maximum 4g per day

✅ Faster onset than paracetamol and ibuprofen (15–30 minutes). Very effective for renal and intestinal colic.

❌ Banned in some countries (US, UK) due to rare risk of agranulocytosis — but widely used and considered safe in Brazil, Spain and much of Europe.

Can I Alternate Paracetamol and Ibuprofen?

Yes — and it's often the best strategy for persistent high fever.

• Take paracetamol → wait 3 hours → take ibuprofen → wait 3 hours → repeat

• This ensures 24-hour coverage without exceeding the maximum dose of either

• Respecting daily limits: paracetamol (4g/day) + ibuprofen (1,200 mg/day)

GROUP 2 — Antibiotics: The Most Misunderstood Medication

The Golden Rule of Antibiotics:

Antibiotics do NOT treat viruses. Flu, common cold and most sore throats and coughs are viral. Taking antibiotics in these cases doesn't speed up recovery — it only destroys beneficial gut flora and creates resistant bacteria.

When Is an Antibiotic Necessary:

✅ Bacterial tonsillitis (white patches on throat with no runny nose), urinary tract infections, bacterial pneumonia, spreading skin infections (cellulitis, erysipelas), infected wounds with systemic signs, bacterial sinusitis (facial pain + purulent discharge for over 10 days).

Most Common Antibiotics and Their Indications:

Absolute Rules for Antibiotics:

1. Complete the full course — even if you feel better

2. Never share — the right antibiotic for you may be wrong for someone else

3. Take at correct intervals — timing is as important as dose

4. Use probiotics during and after the course

🎥 Watch: What you need to know about antibiotics:

GROUP 3 — Digestive System Medications

Omeprazole (20–40 mg on empty stomach): ulcer, gastritis, acid reflux, gastric protection when using anti-inflammatories for more than 3 days.

Loperamide (4 mg initial + 2 mg after each liquid bowel movement — max 16 mg/day): diarrhoea — controls symptoms when hydration is ensured and mobility is required. Never use with high fever or bloody diarrhoea.

Oral Rehydration Salts: 1 litre of clean water + 1 level teaspoon of salt + 2 tablespoons of sugar + lemon juice. Drink 200–400 ml after each episode.

Activated charcoal (25–50g diluted in water): toxic ingestion, toxin-caused diarrhoea. The faster after ingestion, the more effective.

GROUP 4 — Antihistamines and Allergies

Loratadine (10 mg once daily): allergic rhinitis, urticaria, mild to moderate allergic reactions. Non-sedating. Safe for long-term use.

Cetirizine (10 mg once daily): similar to loratadine, may cause mild drowsiness. Excellent for intense itching.

Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis) — EMERGENCY

Signs: tongue and throat swelling, severe difficulty breathing, blood pressure drop, generalised hives, dizziness and fainting after allergen exposure.

Emergency treatment: epinephrine (adrenaline) 0.3 mg IM — the only effective treatment. People with a history of anaphylaxis should always carry an EpiPen. Lay victim flat with legs raised. Call emergency services immediately.

GROUP 5 — Topical Medications (External Use)

⚠️ Never use topical corticosteroids on: open wounds, fungal or bacterial infections without simultaneous specific treatment, or on the face for more than 7 days without medical guidance.

GROUP 6 — Emergency Medication Kit for Survival

⚠️ Dangerous Drug Interactions to Know

Golden Rules for Safe Medication Use

• Read the leaflet — at minimum, the contraindications and dosage sections

• Tell your doctor everything you take — including supplements and herbal teas

• Never double the dose if you miss one — just take the next scheduled dose

• Check expiry dates — especially in emergency kits

• Store correctly — away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight

• Never crush enteric-coated tablets — the coating protects the stomach or controls release

• Never self-medicate antibiotics without medical guidance

💊 The right medication, at the right dose, at the right time — that is what turns chemistry into healing. Share this guide with everyone you care about.