Tips and how to take the correct TB medicine

The length of the TB treatment period which can last 6-9 months makes it difficult for sufferers to be able to take medication regularly. In fact, if you do not comply with the way to take TB medicine properly, there are more detrimental consequences. Patients have the potential to experience drug resistance effects so that the antibiotics given previously are no longer effective in curing tuberculosis bacterial infections.

Therefore, you are required to have high discipline while undergoing TB treatment. In fact, you may even need a medication monitor so you don't forget or miss your medication. Here are some tips to obey the rules for taking TB medication that you need to know.

How to take TB medicine correctly and on time

Tuberculosis (TB) can be cured as long as it follows the stages of treatment properly. The reason is, the long time and many types of drugs make patients potentially undisciplined while undergoing treatment. As a result, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis can become resistant to anti-TB drugs. Treatment is no longer effective.

This condition is also known as drug-resistant TB disease (MDR TB). This condition is more at risk of transmitting TB to other people. This resistance or immune effect makes the healing process take longer. The risk of drug side effects that may arise is also heavier.

The following tips for following the correct method of taking TB medication can prevent you from experiencing this condition so that TB disease can be cured according to the end of the normal TB treatment stages.

1. Take the medicine at the same time every day

Before starting to take the drug, make sure you understand the rules for taking TB medicine well.

Doctors usually won't specify what time you should take your medication, but try to set the same time each day. You can schedule it after lunch or at bedtime, for example. Keep doing this until you get used to it.

In addition to paying attention to the time to take the medicine recommended by the doctor, also know how many doses are needed and the side effects of TB drugs

2. Place it in an easily visible area

Another way not to forget to continue to be obedient to taking TB medicine is to use a medicine box. Its use is very useful for people who take drugs regularly every day.

In addition to being stored at normal temperatures, make sure you keep the medicine box in a place that is easily accessible. Medicine boxes can be found easily at pharmacies or supermarkets, choose a small one so it's more practical when traveling.

3. Post reminders wherever you can see them

The reminder feature on your device that you use almost every time can also be used to follow the correct way to take TB medicine. Activate the alarm on cell phones, laptops, even watches and adjust it to the time of taking medicine.

Some health applications can now also help you remember and even record the number of drug doses you take, making it easier.

Conventional methods can also help you to remember and be disciplined to take TB medicine properly. Post reminder notes around the room where you rest and do activities. You can also install it in certain areas that are easy to see, such as mirrors and refrigerators.

Don't hesitate to ask the people closest to you, such as family, friends, or coworkers, to remind you. The moral support of those around you is also good for your healing process.

4. Use a calendar to record the duration of treatment

Every day, after successfully following the rules for taking TB medicine correctly, put a mark on the calendar. This is useful for recording how long you have been on TB treatment. Six or nine months is not a short time. It could be that you forget how long you have been taking it, so you risk taking the medicine longer or even stopping too soon.

The correct way to take TB medicine can also help you to make a long-term treatment schedule, such as determining when the medicines will run out and when you need to consult your doctor again.

Supervisors take medication, another way to be disciplined in taking TB medication

In addition to using your own efforts to keep taking medication regularly, you can also take advantage of "Drug Drinking Controller". The government also recommends this so that the success of TB treatment can be increased.

The Drug Administration or PMO is the person appointed to ensure that you are taking your TB medicine properly. Health workers, such as nurses, are better appointed as PMOs.

However, basically anyone can become a supervisor of taking medication, provided they meet the following conditions:

• A supervisor taking TB medication must be someone who is known, trusted, and lives close to the patient.
• If possible, you can choose someone who you really respect, such as a parent, husband, or wife to act as a supervisor for taking your medication so that you are more obedient to how to take TB medicine properly.
• People you trust to be PMOs should be willing to help voluntarily.
• According to the regulations of the Ministry of Health, PMOs must first receive technical training and management of taking medication, as well as control the risk of contracting TB from health workers together with patients.

If the supervisor taking medication does not live in the same house, you and the PMO should agree on a place to administer treatment. Patients can choose to come to the closest health facility (puskesmas, RSUD, private hospital) to the patient's residence or the easiest is for PMO to come to visit the patient's house.

What are the duties of a supervisor taking TB medicine?

The job of a PMO is not to replace the patient taking medication, but to ensure that the patient has carried out the correct method of taking TB medication or is according to his schedule. Yes, PMO is in charge of ensuring the discipline of TB patients to take medication does not relax.

The duties of supervisors taking medication that play an important role in increasing the cure rate for TB patients include:

• Supervise the patient to take medication regularly until the end of the TB treatment stage.
• Give encouragement to patients to want to seek treatment regularly.
• Remind the patient to repeat the sputum TB examination at the time determined by the doctor.
• Provide counseling to family members of TB patients who experience symptoms that are suspected of being TB to immediately go to the Health Service Unit.

In carrying out their duties, a PMO must also actively provide important information that TB patients and other family members need to understand. These include:

• Information about TB disease caused by a bacterial infection, not a hereditary disease or a curse.
• How is it transmitted, symptoms and ways to prevent TB.
• TB can be cured with regular treatment, if not adhere to the treatment becomes longer because the germs are already drug resistant.
• How to administer patient treatment in the intensive and advanced stages.
• How to monitor so that patients seek treatment regularly.
• Possible side effects of TB drugs and the need to immediately seek help from the nearest health facility if the patient experiences serious problems due to drug side effects.

What if you still forget to take TB medicine?

You don't need to worry if you ever forget to take medicine. You can continue treatment by taking the medicine at the next scheduled time. However, if you have neglected to follow the correct method of taking TB medication, such as not taking medication many times as scheduled, you should immediately contact your doctor before taking the next medicine.