Managing Medication | Medication Reminders | Drug Review | Your "411" For Help

Managing Medication

The challenges of managing medications can be difficult for many seniors – especially those who take multiple drugs for various health problems. Here are some tips that can help.

• Tell the doctor about all the medicines he/she is currently taking (bring her drug list along), if he/she is being treated by another doctor for something else, and if she has any allergies or side effects from any particular medicines.
  
• Be sure you know the name of the newly prescribed medicine and can read the handwriting on the prescription. If you can’t read it, the pharmacist may not be able to either. Also ask if there’s a lower-cost generic version available.
  
• Ask about the possible side effects the new medicine can cause, and what should be done if they occur.
  
• Find out how and when the medicine should be taken, how much to take, and for how long. (Note: not taking medication as directed can cause serious health problems.)
  
• What foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements or activities should be avoided while taking the medicine?
  
• What should be done if a dose is missed, or an extra one was inadvertently taken?
  
• When should the medicine begin working, and what, if any tests are required to monitor the reaction to the treatment?

If you have any doubts about a prescribed medication, do some research online at sites like www.drugdigest.org or www.medlineplus.gov or ask your pharmacist. It’s also a good idea to submit all prescriptions to the same pharmacy or chain. Typically, pharmacy computer systems automatically flag any potential drug interactions.