topic Re: Question about taking meds in Community Chat

Question about taking meds

Deb1010again — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:16:14 GMT

If you have to take more than one pill, do you take them all at once or one at a time. I take them all at once.

Re: Question about taking meds

croemer — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:21:33 GMT

Depends...I take my vitamins and a baby aspirin right before bed. I usually spread the pills out because they can upset my stomach...all at once.

Re: Question about taking meds

Cakers1 — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:22:32 GMT

Deb: I'm assuming you mean different types of pills. Depends upon what they are - I take my 2 at the same time, after instruction from my pcp.

Re: Question about taking meds

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:31:32 GMT

I take my AM and PM supplements all at once, at their given time. I take a blood pressure pill at bedtime.

As an aside, when taking meds, if the directions are to take with a full glass of water, it's important to do so. Otherwise there could be some stomach upset.

Re: Question about taking meds

foundinlv — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:37:47 GMT

On 10/8/2014 croemer said:
Depends...I take my vitamins and a baby aspirin right before bed. I usually spread the pills out because they can upset my stomach...all at once.

croemer.....may I ask you a personal question? Did your doctor tell you to take a baby aspirin each night before bed or is it something you feel is important based on what you've read. I just think that unless a doctor who knows you gives the okay one should not do it.

Re: Question about taking meds

croemer — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:47:22 GMT

On 10/8/2014 ILikeShade said:
On 10/8/2014 croemer said:
Depends...I take my vitamins and a baby aspirin right before bed. I usually spread the pills out because they can upset my stomach...all at once.

croemer.....may I ask you a personal question? Did your doctor tell you to take a baby aspirin each night before bed or is it something you feel is important based on what you've read. I just think that unless a doctor who knows you gives the okay one should not do it.

Heart

<h1 class="entry-title">Taking Aspirin at Night May Boost Heart Benefits</h1>

By Anahad O'Connor November 19, 2013 3:00 pm

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Millions of adults take an aspirin every morning to ward off heart disease. But a new study suggests that the pills might be most effective if taken right before bed.

Taking a daily aspirin helps thin the blood and prevent platelets from clumping, lowering the likelihood of heart attacks and stroke. Cardiovascular events are about three times more likely to occur in the morning, when blood pressure and platelet activity are typically at their highest levels.

In the new study, researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands looked at 290 heart disease patients who were using aspirin to help prevent future heart attacks or strokes. The patients took 100 milligrams of aspirin once a day.

In one phase of the study, they took the aspirin first thing in the morning, for three months. In a second phase, they took the aspirin right before bed.

Ultimately the researchers found that morning platelet activity was reduced to a much greater degree when the aspirin was taken at night. The timing of the aspirin, however, had no impact on morning blood pressure levels, which was something else the researchers measured.

The findings were presented at an American Heart Association conference in Dallas on Tuesday.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Tobias Bonten, said he and his colleagues planned to look at the occurrence of cardiovascular events in future studies. But in the meantime, he said, it may make more sense for daily aspirin users to take the medication before turning in each night, rather than first thing in the morning.

Dr. Bonten pointed out that some other cardiovascular medications are also taken in the evening. Certain statins are taken at night, for example, to counteract cholesterol production that occurs during sleep. Scheduling aspirin at night might be similarly useful.

“I think in most Western countries, people take aspirin in the morning,” he said. “It’s already one of our most effective medications. But maybe we can improve it a little bit more by switching the time.”

My husband was just n the ER with what was close to a heart attack. The doctor agrees with this study and recommended to take it just before bed.

Re: Question about taking meds

foundinlv — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:49:42 GMT

During a recent physical and blood test I was told not to because I have rare giant platelets. Something new for me and if I want to learn more I have to go to a specialist.

Re: Question about taking meds

sylviahomeatlast — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:50:11 GMT

Taking at the same time? Of day? I take them all at once.

Re: Question about taking meds

croemer — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:50:46 GMT

On 10/8/2014 ILikeShade said:
During a recent physical and blood test I was told not to because I have rare giant platelets. Something new for me and if I want to learn more I have to go to a specialist.

Confusing isn't it?

Re: Question about taking meds

adelle38 — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:52:05 GMT

On 10/8/2014 croemer said:
On 10/8/2014 ILikeShade said:
On 10/8/2014 croemer said:
Depends...I take my vitamins and a baby aspirin right before bed. I usually spread the pills out because they can upset my stomach...all at once.

croemer.....may I ask you a personal question? Did your doctor tell you to take a baby aspirin each night before bed or is it something you feel is important based on what you've read. I just think that unless a doctor who knows you gives the okay one should not do it.

Heart
<h1 class="entry-title">Taking Aspirin at Night May Boost Heart Benefits</h1>
By Anahad O'Connor November 19, 2013 3:00 pmNovember 19, 2013 3:00 pm

Email

Share

Tweet

Save

More

Millions of adults take an aspirin every morning to ward off heart disease. But a new study suggests that the pills might be most effective if taken right before bed.

Taking a daily aspirin helps thin the blood and prevent platelets from clumping, lowering the likelihood of heart attacks and stroke. Cardiovascular events are about three times more likely to occur in the morning, when blood pressure and platelet activity are typically at their highest levels.

In the new study, researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands looked at 290 heart disease patients who were using aspirin to help prevent future heart attacks or strokes. The patients took 100 milligrams of aspirin once a day.

In one phase of the study, they took the aspirin first thing in the morning, for three months. In a second phase, they took the aspirin right before bed.

Ultimately the researchers found that morning platelet activity was reduced to a much greater degree when the aspirin was taken at night. The timing of the aspirin, however, had no impact on morning blood pressure levels, which was something else the researchers measured.

The findings were presented at an American Heart Association conference in Dallas on Tuesday.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Tobias Bonten, said he and his colleagues planned to look at the occurrence of cardiovascular events in future studies. But in the meantime, he said, it may make more sense for daily aspirin users to take the medication before turning in each night, rather than first thing in the morning.

Dr. Bonten pointed out that some other cardiovascular medications are also taken in the evening. Certain statins are taken at night, for example, to counteract cholesterol production that occurs during sleep. Scheduling aspirin at night might be similarly useful.

“I think in most Western countries, people take aspirin in the morning,” he said. “It’s already one of our most effective medications. But maybe we can improve it a little bit more by switching the time.”

My husband was just n the ER with what was close to a heart attack. The doctor agrees with this study and recommended to take it just before bed.

My mom recently went to the ER because of a suspected stroke and was told the same thing. She was already taking a mini aspirin and was told to take it at night.

Re: Question about taking meds

croemer — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:53:02 GMT

Good to know adelle.

Re: Question about taking meds

kittymomNC — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:55:05 GMT

It depends on what you're taking. For instance, Synthroid (for low thyroid) is supposed to be taken at least 4 hours before you take antacids, iron, or vitamin/mineral supplements. Just always be sure to read everything on your label and read the information leaflet that comes with your meds. Different things can affect the efficacy of medications depending on how/when you take them. Also, there are medications that are recommended to be taken in the morning, and some should be taken at night.

Re: Question about taking meds

adelle38 — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:59:26 GMT

On 10/8/2014 kittymomNC said:
It depends on what you're taking. For instance, Synthroid (for low thyroid) is supposed to be taken at least 4 hours before you take antacids, iron, or vitamin/mineral supplements. Just always be sure to read everything on your label and read the information leaflet that comes with your meds. Different things can affect the efficacy of medications depending on how/when you take them. Also, there are medications that are recommended to be taken in the morning, and some should be taken at night.

That's true. My doctors have always told me to take my thyroid meds first thing in the morning at least an hour before I eat with no supplements. It really depends on what you're taking.

Re: Question about taking meds

dooBdoo — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 02:31:15 GMT

If we're talking about different meds, I take them separately, or in groups, or at certain times of the day based upon my physicians' and my pharmacist's advice. I think most people know this, but it's really important to know understand how they interact with one another (including RX, OTC, all the supplements, and even foods and beverages) and how the body metabolizes them. Frankly, for the most part, my pharmacist knows more about that than my individual docs ... and the docs agree with that statement.

Re: Question about taking meds

Lucky Charm — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:32:08 GMT

Croemer~ How scary - he thought he was having a heart attack? I hope he is okay!

Re: Question about taking meds

feline groovy — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:42:55 GMT

I've been on multiple prescription meds since my late teens (I'm 51 now), and I take most of them (always with food or milk) together with breakfast.

First thing in the AM gets them 'out of the way for the day'.

There are also additional doses - every 12, 8 or 6, or 4 hours - for those prescribed as twice, three times, or four times daily.

And then there are others that must be taken at a certain time of day, like in the evening or at bedtime.

HTH

* I also take o.t.c. meds and supplements; don't get me started, LOL*

Re: Question about taking meds

LaterGator — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 04:17:19 GMT

I take 19 different meds. Some are shots for diabetes and RA. Of course I take the insulin when I need it and the RA shot I give myself on Friday along with one other pill I only take on Friday. Three days each week, I take a med. All the rest of them are daily so I group them together and take some in the AM and some in the PM. Those mostly include pills that I take two of during the day, one in the morning and one in the evening. I also have three inhalers I use during the day.

Not only is is difficult to remember what pills to take when but it's difficult to remember to make sure I get all the refills when I need too. I actually have a spreadsheet on my computer with this information. Crazy.

(I have COPD, RA and Diabetes - not a fun combo)

Re: Question about taking meds

sylviahomeatlast — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 04:21:17 GMT

I take medication when, how, and with what other medications my doctors say. Also vitamins and any other over the counter.

Re: Question about taking meds

sylviahomeatlast — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 04:23:38 GMT

On 10/8/2014 dooBdoo said:
If we're talking about different meds, I take them separately, or in groups, or at certain times of the day based upon my physicians' and my pharmacist's advice. I think most people know this, but it's really important to know understand how they interact with one another (including RX, OTC, all the supplements, and even foods and beverages) and how the body metabolizes them. Frankly, for the most part, my pharmacist knows more about that than my individual docs ... and the docs agree with that statement.

absolutely--my medicines can become more potent or else are rendered ineffective by combing certain ones, also vitamins, etc

Re: Question about taking meds

Phantom41 — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 22:01:58 GMT

On 10/8/2014 kittymomNC said:
It depends on what you're taking. For instance, Synthroid (for low thyroid) is supposed to be taken at least 4 hours before you take antacids, iron, or vitamin/mineral supplements. Just always be sure to read everything on your label and read the information leaflet that comes with your meds. Different things can affect the efficacy of medications depending on how/when you take them. Also, there are medications that are recommended to be taken in the morning, and some should be taken at night.

I am so glad I opened this thread! I've been on Synthroid for 30 years and never had a doctor tell me this. I do take it in the morning and then take my supplements and a couple of hours later take a nexium. Thank you for the info!