Medications can be harmful if not used properly. The tips below will help to
reduce medicine-related problems:
Tell your doctor
if:
You've ever had an allergic reaction, and to what
You are pregnant or breast-feeding
Another doctor is also treating you
You have diabetes or kidney or liver disease
You use alcohol, tobacco, or "street drugs"
Have your doctor keep a record of all the
medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter (OTC) items like vitamins, aspirins,
laxatives, etc., as well as any medicine another doctor has prescribed.
Ask your doctor to tell you what a medicine
is for, when you should take it, and for how long. Find out, too, if it should be taken in
a special way, i.e., with food or plenty of water. Write these things down so you don't
forget what the doctor says.
Use the same pharmacy to buy prescriptions
as well as over-the-counter medications. This way, a complete record of your medicines can
be kept in one place. This is especially important if more than one doctor has been
writing your prescriptions. Your pharmacist can also spot possible harmful combinations of
medicines, and food-and-medication interactions.
Ask your pharmacists to clearly mark each
vial with all necessary instructions.
Always keep medicines in their original
containers.
Let your doctor know about your past
reactions to certain medicines. Tolerance levels may change with age. For instance, as
some people age, they may show greater sensitivity to some medications such as painkillers
or tranquilizers.
Ask about the possible side effects of a
medication. If you do experience some, call your physician and find out what you should
do. Often, just a change in dosage is all that is needed.
Don't drink alcohol while on a medication
if you don't know its effect. Regular alcohol use can speed up the metabolism of certain
medicines, reducing their intended effectiveness. Some medicines, such as sedatives, can
become deadly when used with alcohol.
Never take someone else's medication.
Throw away all medications that have
expired.
Try to reduce the need for medications,
such as sleeping pills or laxatives. For example, a hot bath and a glass of milk might
help you sleep at night. Changing your diet to increase your fiber intake might replace
the need for a laxative. Check with your doctor for non-medical alternatives.
Don't stop taking medications your doctor
has prescribed, even if you feel better. Check with your doctor first.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99