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Capsules should be swallowed whole as contents often
have an unpleasant taste.
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For children, some capsules can be opened and mixed with
food. Ask your pharmacist if in doubt.
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Moisten your mouth or take a sip of water first.
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Swallow capsules with liquids, preferably water, to
ensure that they don’t stick to your esophagus (food
canal).
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Store capsules in the original container and in a cool,
dry place.
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NOTE: To prevent contamination of the medication, do not touch
the applicator tip to the ear or any other surface. You can hold
the ear drop bottle in your hands for a few minutes to warm it up
in order to minimize the discomfort.
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Wash hands.
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Lie down or tilt the head to the side so that the ear
into which the medication is to be placed faces up.
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Pull the ear lobe up and back to straighten up the ear
canal. (In children: gently pull the ear lobe down and
back.)
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Do not insert the ear dropper into the ear.
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Drop the medicine into the ear.
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Keep ear facing up for several minutes to allow the
medicine to spread inside the ear. You may apply a cotton
plug to keep drops in place.
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Wash hands.
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NOTE: To prevent contamination of the medication, do not
let the applicator tip touch the eye, eyelids, or any surface.
Some eye drops must be shaken well before using. Keep tightly
closed when not in use. Do not refrigerate unless instructed
by your doctor or pharmacist. Remove your contact lens before
instilling the eye drops.
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Wash hands thoroughly.
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Tilt the head back.
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Pull lower eyelid away from eye with the index finger
to form a pouch.
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Look up in order to move the cornea away from the
drops.
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Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close
the eyes. Do not blink.
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Keep eyes closed and gently apply pressure to the
bridge of the nose for 1 to 2 minutes. This will retain
the medicine in the eyes. If you just had eye surgery,
check with your doctor to see if you should apply pressure
to the bridge of the nose.
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Repeat the same procedure if multiple drops are required.
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Wash hands thoroughly.
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Your vision may be blurred following instillation.
Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery until you
regain your normal vision.
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If multiple eye-drop medications are used, wait 5-10
minutes between each medication.
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NOTE: To prevent contamination of the medication, do not
let the applicator tip touch the eye, eyelids, or any surface.
Remove contact lenses before applying the medication.
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Wash hands.
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Pull lower eyelid away from eye to form a pouch.
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Squeeze about 1cm (1/3inch) strip of ointment into the
pouch.
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Gently close eyes and keep them closed for 1-2 minutes.
Move your eyeballs around in order to spread the medication.
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Use a tissue to wipe off any excess ointment from the
eyes.
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Wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue
and keep the tube closed.
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Wash hands.
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After applying the ointment, your vision may become
blurry for few minutes. Do not drive or operate dangerous
machinery until you regain your normal vision.
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If two different eye ointments are used, wait 10 minutes
between applications.
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Use the eye drop first and 5 minutes later, apply the ointment.
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Fill your mouth with the appropriate amount of medication.
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Tilt head back and gargle for a few seconds and then
spit out. (Exception: with some antibiotics or
antifungals, the solution must be swallowed after the
gargle. Ask your pharmacist if in doubt.)
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Repeat if necessary.
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Measure the appropriate amount.
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Swish the solution around in your mouth.
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Retain in mouth for a few minutes and then spit it out.
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Do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes.
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Blow nose gently.
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Fill dropper with proper amount of medication. 
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Tilt head back while standing or sitting.
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Insert the dropper into one nostril about 1/3 inch and
instill the prescribed number of drops into the nose.
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Remain still for at least 2 minutes.
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Repeat the above procedure in the other nostril if necessary.
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Keep head tilted back for a few minutes to allow medicine
to spread throughout the nose.
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Rinse the dropper with hot water and dry with a clean
tissue.
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Replace the cap after use.
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NOTE: Please read the instructions before using them as some
nasal spray medications have special instructions. Some medications
are suspended and must be shaken well before using. New medications
must be primed before using. Check with your pharmacist if
your nasal spray needs priming and how to do it.
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Blow nose gently.
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With head upright spray the medicine into the affected
nostril.
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Breathe in gently through the nostril then breathe out
through the mouth.
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Repeat the procedure for the other nostril if necessary.
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Rinse the tip of the spray bottle with hot water and
dry with a clean tissue.
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Suspended medications must be shaken well before using.
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Use an accurate measuring device (e.g. dropper, syringe,
or dosing spoon).
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If the liquid medication is mixed with water or juice,
finish up the drink so the exact dose is taken.
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Do not refrigerate unless otherwise indicated to do
so.
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Tablets should be taken with liquid, preferably water.
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Enteric coated, sugar coated, slow release tablets
should not be cut or crushed as this would destroy the
slow release property of the tablet or expose the unpleasant
taste of the medication.
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Effervescent tablets must first be dissolved
in water or juice and then the effervescent solution is
swallowed.
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Chewable tablets must be chewed first.
This helps the tablet to dissolve and helps its swallowing.
If needed, you may drink water to rinse the mouth.
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Sublingual tablets should be placed under the
tongue where they dissolve rapidly and the medication
is quickly absorbed.
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Apply the patch to a clean dry skin area with little
or no hair and free of scars, cuts or irritations.
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Remove the previous patch before applying the new one.
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Apply the patch each time to a different area in order
to prevent skin irritation.
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Do not try to trim or cut the adhesive patches to adjust
the dosage as this would affect the effectiveness of the
medication.
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Dispose the used patch in a safe manner, keeping it
away from children.
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Some patches should not be applied to certain areas of
the body. Ask your pharmacist for more information.
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Most patches will stick to the skin in the water. However,
prolonged exposure to warm water and some environmental conditions
like hot weather can loosen the patch. Apply a new patch if
the first one becomes loose or falls off.
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NOTE: Bathe and dry the rectal area first.
For surrounding areas: Apply a small amount of cream
or ointment onto the affected area and rub in gently.
For deeper areas:
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Attach the applicator tip to the open tube.
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Insert the applicator tip into the rectum and gently
squeeze the tube to deliver the medication.
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Remove the applicator tip from the tube and wash it
with soap and hot water.
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Shake well before using.
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Remove the protective sheath from the applicator tip.
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For self-administration, lie on the side.
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Gently insert the applicator tip into rectum.
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Grasp the bottle firmly and squeeze slowly to release
the medication.
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Do not release and re-squeeze the bottle.
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Steady hand pressure will discharge the entire solution.
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After administering the medication, withdraw and discard
the empty container.
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Remain in position for at least 30 minutes to allow
thorough distribution of the medication.
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NOTE: If suppository is too soft because of storage in a
warm place, chill the suppository in the refrigerator for
30 minutes. On the other hand, if suppository is too hard
you can hold it in your hands for a few minutes to warm it
up.
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Wash hands.
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Apply the topical product to clean, dry skin.
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Do not apply to broken or abraded skin.
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For lotions, shake it well before using.
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Store in a cool, dry place.
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NOTE: Most vaginal products are provided with an applicator
from the manufacturer.
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Wash hands.
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Fill the applicator with the cream or vaginal tablets.
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Lie down on your back with your knees drawn up.
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Insert the applicator into vagina as far as it can go
without forcing it.
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Release the medication by pushing on the plunger.
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Wait several minutes before getting up.
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Wash applicator and your hands with soap and warm water.
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