Should I take another?

Question

okay, so I just found out today I have strep throat.

the doctor gave me a prescription and I am suppose to take one pill three times a day.

I used to have a hard time swallow pills, and I was taking my final one about 5 minutes ago, and I just couldn't get it down. It eventually broke, and I just threw it away.

should I take another one? or just wait till tomorrow morning?

Answer 1

You threw it away... If it "broke" I guess the magic fairies escaped and the pill wouldn't work, right?  

Now, you want to know if you should change the schedule.  Yeah.  Absolutely.  And you should change the medication too.  What the heck, its not like the doctor told you to do something for a reason or anything.  Its not like untreated strep can cause heart damage and death.  Its not like under-treated strep can lead to superbugs resistant to the antibiotics.  Its not like you could become a carrier and cause the death of others.

Oh wait, I guess it is like all that.

Keep to the schedule as long as possible.  If you don't get your last pill, it will not ruin the treatment.  If you continue throwing away perfectly good medication you'll have to call your doctor and explain so you can get more.

Answer 2

If you already took another one that should be fine.  It is important to take all of a prescribed antibiotic to be sure the infection is gone.  It is more important to stay on the schedule you are on now because it is the middle of your treatment.  By the last pill on the tenth day, your infection should be completely gone and it shouldn't matter that you are one pill short.  I think you did the right thing by taking the extra one now.  In the future you might want to ask your doctor if you can get an alternative to the pills you swallow.  Most antibiotics come in liquid (I know it usually tastes gross), and some you can open the capsule and put the powder in something like applesauce (do not just do this on your own though.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist to make sure the drug is not a slow release type tablet)

Answer 3

wait till tomorrow

Answer 4

It would be better to take another pill tonight, since you broke one and lost it, and to run one pill short at the end of the course of antibiotics.  It's not a huge deal either way, but it's best not to interrupt your 3-a-day schedule.  It will also make you feel better faster - though you really need to complete the whole schedule of antibiotics to get rid of your strep throat for good (i.e. not have it come back), it should mostly get knocked out in the first day or two.

Hope you feel better soon!  That has to be hard having a sore throat combined with having a hard time taking pills!