
Jana was born and raised in Jefferson City. She is a 2001 graduate of Helias High School. Jana received her Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2007 from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and returned to Jefferson City to work at Whaley’s East End Drug. Jana and her husband Brandon and their dog Max are thrilled to be a part of the Jefferson City community.
Quarterly Article by Managing Pharmacist Jana Ruediger, RPh.
Posted: October 28, 2008
Sometimes doctors do not specify when medications need to be taken and most medications can be taken any time throughout the day. Certain medications, although, are better taken in the morning, or evening for example.
In essence, “Timing is everything”:
| MEDICATION |
BEST TIME |
REASON |
SSRI antidepressants (like Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, etc.) |
Morning |
Can cause stimulation (therefore keep you up at night if taken later in the day) |
Cold and Flu medications |
Midday |
Fever and other symptoms tend to peak around 4 P.M. |
Asthma medications (like Theophylline) |
Midday |
Plenty will be in your blood stream by nighttime, which is when symptoms often get worse. |
MAOIs (like Nardil and Parnate ) and tricyclic antidepressants (like amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, nortriptyline) |
Evening |
Can cause sleepiness |
Medications to treat or prevent heart disease (like Zocor, Pravachol, Mevacor, etc.), including daily aspirin |
Evening |
Your body makes the most cholesterol between 12 A.M. and 3 A.M. Aspirin causes less stomach irritation at night. |
Allergy medication (like Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl, etc.) |
Evening |
Symptoms tend to peak in the early morning, so it’s best to have drugs in your system before you wake up. |
Reference: Woman’s Day, November 1, 2008 issue
Take a look at this list and see if you are taking your medications at the best time to get the maximum effect from each of them. Check with your pharmacist if you have any questions/concerns about when you are taking your medications.
Sally joined the staff of Whaley’s East End Drug one year ago. Sally is a 1990 graduate of University of Missouri – Kansas City’s pharmacy school. She started her career in retail and has stayed there ever since. She enjoys working as a part-time/relief pharmacist and has been a great addition to the Whaley’s staff! |