Preface
Medicine works effectively when it is appropriately used. It is, therefore, important to appropriately store and use it.Request at the first-visit
If you visit the hospital for the first time, please bring a list of the medicines you usually take at home or bring the medicines themselves.Request at admission
Please inform a nurse of any medicines you had been taking at home before admission.Request to outpatients regarding external prescriptions
To ensure smooth treatment of inpatients, we ask outpatients to get their medicines at their regular pharmacies.If you are visiting multiple hospitals, it is best that your regular pharmacy check the drug combinations.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with external prescriptions.
Please use the external prescription consultation area on the first floor of the outpatient building.
Information on the locations of major pharmacies in Hokkaido is provided on the Hokkaido Pharmaceutical Association website.
Directions for the use of medicine
- Medicines (tablets and capsules) are usually contained in sheets or packets. If you take the medicine without removing any pieces of the backing sheet or packet that may be stuck to it, your esophagus may be damaged. Please take medicine after removing any pieces of backing sheet or packet that may be stuck to it.
- Please take your medicine with cold or lukewarm water. Drink as much water as possible (a cup of water) so that the medicine will dissolve well and work effectively.
- Dosing times
After a meal: within approximately 30 minutes after eating (to reduce any stimulus to the stomach)
Between meals: approximately two hours after eating (between meals when the stomach is empty)
Before a meal: approximately 30 minutes before eating
At ( ), every ( ) hours, etc.: please follow the directions regardless of the meal time - Medicines are sensitive to moisture. Some medicines are sensitive to high temperatures and direct sunlight. Please store medicines in a cool place and avoid direct sunlight. If necessary, store them in a refrigerator (not a freezer).
- Some medicines should not be used with other medicines or food. The medicine may not have the desired effect or may have a too strong effect if it is combined with such substances. Therefore please inform us at the hospital of the medicines you usually take.
Medicine Q & A
If I forget to take my medicine, what should I do?
Please take the medicine as soon as you remember (regarding insulin and antidiabetic drugs, ask the doctor or pharmacist). If it is already close to the next dosing time, please skip the time you have forgotten, and take medicine regularly from the next dosing time.Expiration date of medicine (use-by date)
These days, the expiration date is sometimes printed at the edge of medication sheets. It indicates the time limit for using the medicine when it is appropriately stored in a cool place. However, if you find that the medicine has changed in appearance, please do not use it, even if it is within the time limit.If medicine is prescribed by a doctor or dentist based on your symptoms at that time, you should dispose of the medicine when it is not necessary any more (if the doctor has not directed differently).
Color changes of urine and feces due to medicine
It is usually not necessary to worry about color changes of your urine or feces due to medicine, but the color of the urine may sometimes change due to side effects of antiallergic or antimicrobe agents. If the color of your urine changes, please ask the doctor or dentist who has prescribed the medicine or the pharmacist who has dispensed it.Side effects due to medicine
It depends on the type of medicine, but side effects are not frequently seen. If you feel a change in your body, it may be a sign of a side effect. Please feel free to ask the doctor or dentist who has prescribed the medicine or the pharmacist who has dispensed.