TEXT 1. Read the following text and find out the information about usual adult dosage and possible adverse effects.

PART II

READER

ХРЕСТОМАТІЯ

ADDITIONAL TEXTS

FOR READING

Guidelines for Safe and Effective Drug Use

Your physician has advised you to take a drug (or drugs), or you have been directed to administer a drug (or drugs) to someone under your care. The kind and amount of information you have been given about how to use these drugs, and what to expect from them, will vary tremendously. In many instances it will not be practical or possible for the physician to provide you with any the information that could be considered appropriate and useful, or it will be difficult for you to remember it. From time to time you will find it desirable-even necessary-to seek clarification and guidance about some aspect of drug action or drug use.

DO NOT

· Pressure your physician to prescribe drugs that, in his or her judgment, you do not need.

· Take prescription drugs on your own or on the advice of friends and neighbors because your symptoms are “just like theirs”.

· Offer drugs prescribed for you to anyone else without a physician’s guidance.

· Change the dose or timing of any drug without the advice of your physician (except when the drug appears to be causing adverse effects).

· Continue to take a drug that you feel is causing adverse effects, until you are able to your physician for clarification.

· Take any drug (prescription or nonprescription) while pregnant or nursing an infant until you are assured by your physician that no harmful effects will occur to either mother or child.

· Take any more medicines than are absolutely necessary. (The greater the number of drugs taken simultaneously, the greater the likelihood of adverse effects.)

· Withhold from your physician important information about previous drug experiences. He or she will want to know both beneficial and undesirable drug effects you have experienced in the past.

· Take any drug in the dark. Identify every dose of medicine carefully in adequate light to be certain you are taking the drug intended.

· Keep drugs on a bedside table. Drugs for emergency use, such as nitroglycerin, are an exception. It is advisable to have only one such drug at the bedside for use during the night.

DO

· Know the name (and correct spelling) of the drug(s) you are taking. It is advisable to know both the brand name and the generic name.

· Read the package labels of all nonprescription drugs to become familiar with the contents of the product.

· Follow your physician’s instructions regarding dosage schedules as closely as possible. Notify him or her if it becomes necessary to make major changes in your treatment routine.

· Thoroughly shake all liquid suspensions of drugs to ensure uniform distribution of ingredients.

· Use a standardized measuring device for giving liquid medications by mouth. The household “teaspoon” varies greatly in size.

· Follow your physician’s instruction on dietary and other treatment measures designed to augment the actions of the drugs prescribed. This makes it possible to achieve desired drug effects with smaller doses. (A familiar example is the reduction of salt intake during drug treatment or high blood pressure.)

· Keep your personal physician informed of all drugs prescribed for you by someone else. Consult him or her regarding nonprescription drugs you intend to take on your own initiative at the same time drugs prescribed by him or her.

· Inform your anesthesiologist, surgeon and dentist of all drugs you are taking, prior to any surgery.

· Inform your physician if you become pregnant while you are taking any drugs from any source.

· Keep a written record of all drugs (and vaccines) you take during your entire pregnancy-name, dose, dates taken and reasons for use.

· Keep a written record of all drugs (and vaccines) to which you become allergic or experience an adverse reaction. This should be done for each member of the family, especially the elderly and infirm.

· Keep a written record of all drugs (and vaccines) to which your children become allergic or experience an adverse reaction.

· Inform your physician of all known or suspected allergies, especially allergies to drugs. Be certain that this information is included in your medical record. (Allergic individuals are four times more prone to drug reactions than those who are free of allergy).

· Inform your physician promptly if you think you are experiencing an overdose, a side-effect or an adverse effect from a drug.

· Determine if it is safe to drive a car, operate machinery or engage in other hazardous activities while taking the drug(s) prescribed.

· Determine if it is safe to drink alcoholic beverages while taking the drug(s) prescribed.

· Determine if any particular foods, beverages or other drugs should be avoided while taking the drug(s) prescribed.

· Keep all appointments for follow-up examination to determine the effects of the drugs and the course of your illness.

· Ask for clarification of any point that is confusing or difficult to understand, at the time the drug(s) are prescribed or later if you have forgotten. Request information in writing if circumstances justify it.

· Discard all outdated prescription drugs. This will prevent the use of drugs that have deteriorated with time.

· Store all drugs to be retained for intermittent use out of the reach of children to prevent accidental poisoning.

TEXT 1. Read the following text and find out the information about usual adult dosage and possible adverse effects.