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What should you do if you miss a dose of a medication? Does the time of day you take your meds really matter? And what’s the deal with grapefruit juice?

We’ve all had these types of questions pop into our heads while looking through the medicine cabinet or reading the back of a box. Getting it right is important to our health and well-being, and luckily, there are experts out there to help.

In our first episode of Faculty Help Desk, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice Taylor Clark tackles some of the most commonly asked questions for pharmacists. Here are a few highlights.

1. Does it matter what time of day you take medicine?

According to Clark, sometimes – and it can make a big difference. Whether you take it in the morning or at night depends on the specific medication. “Certain medications should be taken in the morning,” Clark said. She points out that some common pills, like diuretics, or “water pills,” are best taken earlier in the day to avoid disrupting your sleep with frequent bathroom trips. Definitely something to avoid to maintain that quality sleep schedule!

2. If you miss a dose, can you just double the next one?

Blood thinners and blood pressure medications can be risky things to double up on, according to Clark. These medications, in particular, can be dangerous. Regarding blood thinners, Clark said: “Taking two at the same time could increase your risk of bleeding.” So, be sure to double-check with your provider before taking any extra medication in case you miss a dose. Just to be safe.

3. Can grapefruit interact with some medications? What’s up with that?

“It seems really random,” but Clark explained that it all comes down to the enzymes the body uses to break down and metabolize medications. This group of enzymes, called CYPs (cytochrome P450), is present in grapefruits and can affect the strength of some medications. So if you’re a lover of morning grapefruit, double-check with your doctor to make sure that pink glass of juice isn’t impacting your medications.

Watch the full video

Clark’s episode of Faculty Help Desk covers these questions and more, including her takes on expired medications, antibiotics, and the many shapes that pills come in. Check it out, and look out for more episodes with faculty answering your questions!