Plenty

Not long ago I was given a prescription by my doctor. When I got home with the medicine, I looked at the instructions on the bottle. I saw the usual dosage directions – one capsule two times each day – but I also saw additional warnings and admonitions affixed to the little plastic container.

One preprinted label advised that I should not take the capsule within two hours of taking vitamins, calcium supplements, or other specific medicines.

Hmmmm. Since I take supplements of various kinds first thing in the morning and at bedtime, I decided that I would take some of the capsules to my office and try to remember to take them mid-morning. I would take the second dose when I get home from work – which should be two hours before my bedtime. This is just a 30-day regimen, so I can do this.

The next preprinted label stumped me.

After the specificity of the number of capsules per day and the two-hour space from other substances, I was puzzled to read, “Take with plenty of water.” I don’t know about you, but to me “plenty” is a pretty loosey-goosey term.

I went to my handy American Heritage Dictionary where I read the first definition of plenty: “A full or completely adequate amount or supply.”

In my experience, plenty means different things at different times. If we are talking about one of my favorite foods, plenty might be a large amount; If we are talking about some food I barely tolerate, plenty is a pretty small serving.

Plenty of water for a bath differs greatly from plenty of water for a carwash or to water the lawn.

Even for drinking, plenty of water seems nebulous to me. If you are working hard in the hot sun, plenty of water will likely be more than if you are sitting at a desk in an air-conditioned office.

So, my conclusion is that the authorities (the pharmacist? The Food and Drug Administration? The drug manufacturer?) are leaving this part of my pill taking up to me. I get to decide just how much water with the capsule is plenty.

Which made me wonder: if I am wrong and I drink too little water, will I know? What will be the signal that I didn’t swallow plenty of water with the capsule?

Will it stick in my esophagus? Will it tear up my stomach? Will I develop serious digestive discomfort of some kind? Or will I not know until years later when the damage is discovered?

Normally, I’m a good decision-maker..... willing to rely on my own good judgment.

This time, however, I find myself going back for more water -- just to make certain I get plenty.