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Antibiotics 4 times a day?

I can't believe I'm actually having to ask this, but if you're taking meds 4 times a day, does this mean every 6 hours, or 4 times during your waking hours?

I was thinking take them at say, 6am 12pm 6pm and 12am - or should I just take them 4 times during the 14 hours I'm awake?

Update:

I'm a registered VET nurse, but animals just have antibiotics twice a day or IV/subcut generally so I was embarrassed not to be able to answer this!!

9 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Four times a day would generally be 8am, 1pm, 6pm and 10pm. This is the accepted timing for medications running 4 times a day.

    Unless stated by your doctor, there is no need to take them while you're sleeping. Sleep its self is very important so just take them during the day.

    Add: Even if you were in hospital you wouldnt be given oral antibiotics overnight. If it was serious enough you'd just have an IV. During the day is fine :-)

    Ensure you complete the course. Good Luck! x

    Source(s): Registered Nurse
  • 5 years ago

    This answer is a little late for this post but, I called my Pharmacist about my antibiotics which say to take them 4 times a day and she said the doctor means for me to take them only during my waking hours which means to take them every 3-5 hours apart depending on how many hours I stay awake. It s also very important to finish your antibiotic regime even if you are starting to feel better or a sore or rash is looking better! Hope this helps someone out!

  • Silk
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    The medication should remain at a constant level in your body to work best. Four times a day means every 6 hours. It is a lot of trouble but you should get up during the night to take them. Your idea of 6am. 12pm. 6pm. 12am is good if it works for you. Just be sure to take them every six hours. Hope you feel better soon.

    Also I woman should eat yogurt when on an antibiotic to prevent a yeast infection. An antibiotic not only keeps the bad bacteria but the good, yogurt will help to replace the good. Good luck

    Source(s): RMA
  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Four Times A Day

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    You take them 4 hourly during your waking hours- for example, 8am, 12pm, 16:00 and 20:00.

    Source(s): Registered Nurse
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Antibiotics work best if a constant level remains in your system, so I would recommend taking them every six hours. If they don't upset your stomach at all, you can always wake up to take it and go back to sleep (since rest is also important in getting over an infection).

  • 1 decade ago

    Every 6 hours.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

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  • 1 decade ago

    every 6 hours to keep them distributed evenly

    Source(s): I am a caretaker for eldery
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