Meds: Use Them Wisely in College

Q: Meds: Use Them Wisely in College

In college, your schedule will be erratic. You should target your medication to be effective when you need it. On some days you might take an eight-hour tablet in the morning to cover classes and work time, chill out in the afternoon, and then take a four-hour pill at 8 p.m. to allow you to study. On other days you may need coverage straight through. It’s also up to you to monitor the drug’s effectiveness and side effects, and to refill your prescription as needed. Take medication as prescribed. The prescribed dosage is the amount determined to be the most effective for your individual brain chemistry. Taking more won’t enhance the drug’s effectiveness. If you feel it’s no longer working, alert your doctor. Don’t share your medication. It’s against the law, and the drugs may be harmful to your friends. Consider carrying your meds with you, so they’re not accessible to others. Save

Have a game plan for tackling meds while in college.

By Larry Silver, M.D. Verified Updated on September 26, 2017

Bird's eye view of two students with ADHD studying on bench

In college, your schedule will be erratic.

You should target your medication to be effective when you need it. On some days you might take an eight-hour tablet in the morning to cover classes and work time, chill out in the afternoon, and then take a four-hour pill at 8 p.m. to allow you to study. On other days you may need coverage straight through. It’s also up to you to monitor the drug’s effectiveness and side effects, and to refill your prescription as needed.

Take medication as prescribed. The prescribed dosage is the amount determined to be the most effective for your individual brain chemistry. Taking more won’t enhance the drug’s effectiveness. If you feel it’s no longer working, alert your doctor.

Don’t share your medication. It’s against the law, and the drugs may be harmful to your friends. Consider carrying your meds with you, so they’re not accessible to others.