I just went to a nearby clinic and got some medicine..?

Question

Wats the difference between literally a day(24hours) or a day as in 12hours , If the medicine stated take 3 times a day does it mean once every 8hours or once every 4hours fast i just had my meal and i need medication right away!!! nah jkjk just a common flu and fever.

Answer 1

Most hospitals distinguish between every 8 hours (q8h) which would be 7am, 3pm and 11pm; and three times a day (TID).  Three times a day usually means 3 times during the waking day, like morning , afternoon and bedtime, some even do morning, lunch and dinner.  So you do not usually have to try to take every 8 hours unless it specifically says to.  But if in doubt, ask the doc who gave it to you or the pharmacist.

Answer 2

It means 3 times a day. Whether you space them exactly 8 hours apart depends on how obsessive you are. If you're off a couple of hours, that'll be fine.

Answer 3

If the doctor felt it needed to be taken strictly every 8 hours, the scrip would have been written that way.  But even if it is written for 3 times a day, you should try to space it as close to that as possible.  First thing in the am, late afternoon & just before bed, for instance.

Answer 4

discuss this with the pharmacist BEFORE you leave with the med.  take exactly as directed.

Answer 5

a day means 24hrs

Answer 6

Three times a day on a prescription means as close to every 8 hours apart as possible.  (Ex. 7am, 3pm, 11pm)

The key is (especially if you're taking an antibiotic) to maintain medication levels in your system.