Accurate, balanced evidence-based information about medicines
Types of medicines and people's responses to them Types of medicines and people's responses to them
Medicines are substances that cure, alleviate or prevent the symptoms of a disease, ailment or injury by influencing or changing the way the body responds to illness or injury. They come in many different forms: injections, tablets, capsules, powders, sprays, ointments, drops and so on.
Not just prescription medicines
Medicines are not just confined to prescription medicines. Rather, they also include herbal and natural medicines, vitamin and mineral supplements, and over-the-counter medicines.
Herbal and natural medicines are medicines typically bought at health food shops, supermarkets and pharmacies, or supplied by alternative health practitioners, such as naturopaths and herbalists. They may also include traditional remedies used by some families and communities.
Over-the-counter medicines are the medicines typically bought at pharmacies and supermarkets, such as painkillers, cough medicines and laxatives.
It is important to tell your doctors and alternative health practitioners about all the herbal, natural, over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are taking, so they don't unintentionally prescribe a medicine that interacts with one of your existing medicines.
Everyone is different
Each of us has a slightly different body and metabolism, so our bodies don't always handle medicines identically. Sometimes, a medicine that works well for most people may not work for you. Similarly, you may experience side effects to a medicine that caused a friend no problems. As a result, you may have to try more than one medicine before finding one suitable for you.
When starting a new medicine, ask your doctor what effects and side effects you should look out for. Then, keep track of your body's response to the medicine, particularly in the first two weeks.
Our bodies also handle medicines less well as we age. Therefore, when you are older, your doctor may need to prescribe lower doses than you had previously, or than younger people would use, to minimise the chances of unwanted effects.
The information in MedicinesTalk is not medical advice, so seek professional help before making any decisions based on this information.
This article was accurate and up-to-date when it was published. The evidence or context for this article might have changed since then.
MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.
