When should I take my medicines?

Always read the labels and patient information leaflet carefully before taking your medicines. Other useful guidelines are:

• If the instructions say 'once a day', without saying whether you should take them in the morning or the evening, you can choose whichever suits you. Make sure you take them at the same time each day.
• If the instructions say 'twice a day', you should take them morning and evening.
• If the instructions say 'three times a day', you should take them morning, midday and evening.
• If the instructions say 'three times a day, 1 hour before food', you should take them morning, midday and evening. If you eat meals at those times, take the medicine one hour before the meal. If you don't eat meals at these times, take the medicine and don't eat anything for an hour after.
• If the instructions say 'four times a day', take the medicine morning, midday, around dinner time and then just before you go to bed in the evening. It's important to space the medicine more or less equally through your waking hours. You don't need to wake up during the night to take your medicines.

Also remember to look at the expiry date on your medication. If your medicine has expired, you will need to obtain a new supply from your pharmacist.