frustrated with doc rx

[klipscomb]

I got a bacterial infection a couple weeks ago and doc ordered me to take flagyl every 8 hours told me verbally to take for 7 days. I got home and I assumed 2 pills a day. But I had enough pills for 10 days if I took it 2 times a day. I called the doc he said the script was wrong just take like I thought.  Well the infection didn't go away now I have a new med called clidamycin and guess what?  The script says take one every 6 hours With a total of 14 pills. Am I losing my mind? ! I'm taking it twice a day it would be ridiculous to take every 6 hrs!

[klipscomb]

Ya its actually a high dose for this antibiotic. I set my timer on my phone and I'm going to call the doc on Mon to verify. Just seems like I'd need more than 3 days but I'm happy if it is only 3!

[Tanjat]

Actually you are supposed to take it every 6 hours and not just 4 random times of the day.  That's why it says:  take every 6 hours.  24hrs in a day / 6 hours = 4 times daily.   But it does not mean whenever you feel like it.

[firstat31]

Dr prescribes lower dose antibiotics to pregnant women which means you just have to take it more often.

[klipscomb]

Alright alright hahaha you guys are right lol

[1sttimeparent]

Different antibiotics have different timings. If it days every 6 hours, take it 4 times a day but it doesn't mean you have to wake up in the middle of the night

[hinkypunkheid]

You don't take pills at night just the every few hours during the day.  Yes you must take the last dose. Call the pharmacy again your confused.  

[Tanjat]

No, you have to take it.  I know it's a pain but it's really important to take every dose on time.   Like others said,  if you don't take it as prescribed,  you'll end up needing an even stronger antibiotic.   Its only 3 days,  you can do it

[klipscomb]

Ya that's what the pharmacy said too. I'll call on Monday.  Do you think it's OK not to take last dose at 1 or 2 am? I just took it at 8 am so last dose today would be 2am.....I sware I'm over complicating this I blame the pregnancy haha thanks for all the help ladies

[Tanjat]

Maybe he just wants you to take it for 3 days.   Follow the prescription orders because otherwise you will not get rid of the infection.

[Tanjat]

Every 8 hours means 3x a day.  

[klipscomb]

Well if it is every 6 hours I only have enough pills for 3.5 days because I only have 14 pills.  I was reading online it should be 10 days so idk I'm going to call the pharmacy today.  But I think your right about the flagyl which would be why the infection didn't go away

[Momma2be2013]

The flagyl every 8 hours would have meant 3 pills a day so 21 pills for 7 days.

I would call your doctor on Monday and clarify his order. I know this is a frustrating process. Some antibiotics really do require every six hours because the dose wears off quickly, which is why the next dose is needed.  You can also talk to the pharmacist tomorrow about the medication instructions and your concerns. Too low of an antibiotic dose or interval could land you a third round of antibiotics if the infection doesn't improve and more likely a stronger antibiotic with a greater chance of side effects.
Good luck and hope you feel better

[klipscomb]

Just seems ridiculous I'd have to wake up at 1 am take a pill then 7 am 1 pm etc and the office is closed all weekend but this med causes some side effects I'm not too happy about and I don't want to get sick on it. Sigh

[jaloveslorelei]

Antibiotics are funny,  they are all very different. If your supposed to take them every six hours but your only taking every 12, the antibiotic could be really weak and just create an infection which has grown immune to that antibiotic. Look into home remedies to take into conjunction as the other stuff never seems to work.