Managing medications

You can make sure you understand your medications by following a few simple steps:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you are taking. Write down the names of the medications you take and the amount (“500 mg, three times a day,” for example). Include any drugs prescribed for you, and if you see more than one doctor, make sure each one knows what the others have prescribed. List all over-the-counter medications you are taking, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), antacids, laxatives, cough and cold medicines and vitamin supplements. If you take any herbal medicines or supplements, such as St. John’s wort or gingko biloba, make sure you list those as well. Over-the-counter and herbal medications sometimes interact with prescribed medication in harmful ways.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any past reactions to specific medications. If you are allergic to a certain medication or have had a bad reaction to it in the past, your doctor needs to know.
• Ask about generic medications. Many brand-name medications have less expensive generic equivalents. To save money, ask your doctor if a generic medication is appropriate.
• Ask about new medications. You may see information about new medications for your condition. Ask your doctor about any you’ve heard of. If you are doing fine on your current medication, you doctor probably will recommend that you stay on it.
• Ask about nondrug options. For many conditions, medication isn’t the only solution. Ask your doctor about alternative ways of treating your condition. For example, losing weight and increasing your physical activity can help lower high blood pressure.

Whether you choose a pharmacy connected to your clinic, one near your home or one in a store you go to often, find one that suits you and use it consistently. That way, the pharmacist can check your records for possible drug interactions and allergies whenever a new prescription is filled. Your file will be complete if you always use the same pharmacy. Look for a pharmacy where the pharmacists take time to answer all your questions, in person or over the phone.

If your health insurance covers prescriptions, it may require you to use only certain pharmacies. If you pay for your own prescriptions, you may want to comparison shop for a regular pharmacy, especially if you take certain medications regularly.

Some pharmacies offer special conveniences, such as 24-hour emergency service, computerized records of the medications you buy, senior citizen discounts, drive-up windows and delivery service. Think about what services may be important to you when you decide on a regular pharmacy.

Keep records of the medications each member of your family takes, so you can refer to them easily. Update your records whenever you get a new prescription.

The Personal Medical Record (PDF) is a guide for listing current medications and past reactions to medication. Make your own worksheet and keep it on hand for your entire family to bring to the doctor’s office or your pharmacy.

Follow these steps to get full benefit from medications.

• Understand what you’re taking. Know what the medication does, the correct dose, when and how to take it and how long to take it. Some medications aren’t effective unless you finish the entire prescription. Others, such as pain relievers, can be stopped when symptoms disappear.
• Ask about side effects and report reactions promptly. Some side effects are common and not dangerous. Others can signal that a medication isn’t right for you. If you don’t feel right, call your doctor or pharmacy and report the name of the medication you’re taking and the reaction you’re having. Be cautious about symptoms such as dizziness or drowsiness. They can interfere with driving or cause falls. Be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a condition that might be affected by a medication. For example, pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid many medications.
• Follow instructions. Read labels carefully and ask your pharmacist about any special precautions. Some medications should be taken with food; others work best on an empty stomach. You may need to avoid alcohol or stay out of the sun while taking certain medications. Some medications need to be shaken before being taken or must be kept in the refrigerator. Not following these instructions can make the medication less effective.
• Be consistent. Take your medication regularly and on time. If you miss a dose, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Sometimes you may be told to double the next dose. Other times that could be harmful. Don’t make the decision on your own.
• Remember to take your medication. Link taking your medication with other parts of your daily routine, such as meals or bedtime or even brushing your teeth.
  For example:
  • once a day – take medication when you watch the evening news
  • twice a day – take medication before brushing your teeth in the morning and evening      
  • four times a day – take medication at each meal and at bedtime (If the medicine should be taken on an empty stomach, take it an hour before meals.)

Over-the-counter medications can cause overdoses, allergic reactions and dangerous interactions with other medications, just as prescription medications can.

Over-the-counter medications can interfere with your prescription medications. For example, a simple antacid can destroy the effectiveness of certain antibiotics. The side effects of cough or cold medicines can be serious if you’re taking medicine for high blood pressure, diabetes or glaucoma.

A number of over-the-counter options are available for dealing with pain. Some may work better for you than others, and may have fewer side effects for you.

A variety of medications that once required a prescription now are sold over the counter. Ask your pharmacist for recommendations.

Use these steps to decide whether to take an over-the-counter medication.

Evaluate

• What symptoms do you want the medication to relieve?
• Can home remedies do the job?
• Are you supposed to avoid certain medications for any reason (pregnancy, breastfeeding, medication interactions, allergies)?

Consult

• Ask your pharmacist or doctor or check a reference book for help in choosing the proper product.

Investigate

• Read the label thoroughly. What are the ingredients?
• Do they conflict with any other medications you are taking?
• Are you allergic to any of the ingredients?
• What does the medication do?
• What is the recommended dosage for you?
• Do any warnings or cautions apply to you?
  Confirm
• Ask your pharmacist about possible interactions with food, alcohol or your other medicines.

Decide

• What is your motive for buying this medication?
• Are you being influenced by recommendations, price or advertising?