I Occasionally Miss Taking A Pill. Should I Double The Next Dose?

Bijoy Khandheria, M.D., Chairman, Cardiovascular Diseases; Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona
February 6, 2008

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Question: I occasionally miss taking a pill. Should I double the next dose?

Dr. Khandheria answers the question: 'Double The Next Dose If I Forget A Pill?'

Answer: If one occasionally -- and the meaning of 'occasionally' means occasionally -- if one misses a pill, it doesn't make sense to double it up, because a large number of pills that are prescribed these days to patients are long-acting, and the blood level is still persistent enough.

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So, if you're missing a pill occasionally, you don't need to double it, but you do need to remember that you don't miss it on the next occasion.

Next: Which Medications Should I Take Before Meals, And Which Medications Should I Take After Meals?

Previous: What Can My Physician Do To Simplify The Number Of Pills I Take In A Day?

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