A Short Guide to Medication Management

If you take several prescription medications, you’re hardly alone. You may also take over-the-counter drugs and supplements, as well. While these medications may help manage pain and other symptoms, it is important to follow instructions and keep track of all medications, as certain drug interactions can be dangerous and nearly all medications can cause adverse reactions when not taken properly.

The following tips can help you to manage your medications properly and promote safety and well-being:

• To avoid drug interaction, make a list of all prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies that you take regularly or occasionally. Beside each medication, write the dosage, as well as the name and number of the prescribing physician. Keep one copy for yourself, give one copy to a close friend or family member, and store a copy in an accessible place in your home in case of an emergency. Always bring this list with you to every doctor’s appointment.
• Because medication can be costly, many people choose to shop around for the most affordable prices. While bargain shopping may save money, it can increase the risk of dangerous drug interactions. It is safer to obtain all medications from the same pharmacy so your pharmacist can detect any potential problems, as well as recommend over-the-counter medications that can be taken safely you’re your prescribed medication. Include your pharmacist’s name and number on your medication list. When the physician calls in a prescription, be sure that they use the same pharmacy every time.
• Don’t keep medications past the expiration date. Consumers were once advised to flush their expired or unused medications. However, recent environmental impact studies report that this could be detrimental to the environment. To dispose of expired or unused medication properly, talk to your pharmacist.
• A drug interaction is a change in the way a drug works or its efficacy due to the effects of another drug or substance you are taking. Other medications, herbal supplements, alcohol, and some foods can interact with prescription medications. Grapefruit juice, for example, can affect more than 50 prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including those that treat high blood pressure, pain, allergies, and depression.
• Take each medicine as prescribed and when subscribed, and don’t skip doses to make the medication last longer. Skipping doses can cause problems if your condition isn’t managed properly. Saving medication, like antibiotics, can render it ineffective if bacteria become resistant to your prescription.
• Prescription medication should never be shared. Everyone’s medical history is unique, and other medications or health conditions can cause serious drug interactions. If there are instructions for tapering off a medication, be sure to follow these exactly. Medications like oral steroids may have serious side effects if not tapered correctly after long-term use.
• Pay attention to the color and shape of your pills. If they look different when they are refilled, ask the pharmacist to be sure you have the right medicine.
• Be sure to store medication in a cool, dry location. Medicine can break down quickly in rooms that are moist and warm, like the bathroom.
• Use caution with over-the-counter medications. Just because they are available without a doctor’s prescription doesn’t mean they’re safe for everyone. Over-the-counter medicines that can alleviate the symptoms of coughs, colds, aches, pains, fever, allergies, heartburn, and insomnia are powerful drugs that provide benefits when used correctly and cause health risks when misused.

For more information on prescription drug safety, visit the Food and Drug Administration’s website at www.fda.gov. Always talk with your doctor about medication concerns.

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