Taking Medications Safely
Follow these guidelines when taking medications :
General Guidelines
� Take your medication as prescribed . Do not change the dose or stop taking any medication without your doctor ' s instruction .
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Do not take less of a medication or skip doses . If you have trouble affording your medications , talk to your doctor or pharmacist .
Keep a list of your current medications with you . Include the name of the healthcare provider that prescribed the medication and the reason you are taking it . Show this list to your healthcare providers . Be sure to include :
• Prescription medications ( injectables , pills , inhalers , patches or creams )
• Over-the-counter medications ( pills , creams , lotions , or eye drops )
• Vitamins , supplements , or herbal remedies ( including teas )
• Weight gain or loss products ( such as pills , shakes , or bars )
• Home remedies
Take your medications at set times each day . If needed , use a pill box or set alarms to remember to take your medications .
Read the information provided or ask the pharmacist if the medication should be taken with food or between meals .
Make sure your doctors and pharmacy have an updated list of your allergies .
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Keep appointments for lab work and check-ups . These may be needed to check how well the medication is working or adjust dosing .
If you are traveling , be sure to have your list of medications and a list of your doctors and pharmacy . When flying , carry your medicines with you - do not put them in your checked luggage . Take enough medication with you in case you need to stay longer than expected .
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have problems with your medications , such as trouble swallowing pills or if you can ' t read the label .
Check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter medications , vitamins , supplements , or herbal remedies .
Starting a New Medication
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Make sure you understand what the medication is treating and why it is being prescribed to you .
Read the instructions carefully before you begin taking a new medication . Make sure you understand the directions and any special instructions . Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions .
You may want to check if the medication is covered by your insurance or if a generic medication can be used .
It is best to use the same pharmacy when filling your prescriptions . When you have the prescription filled , tell the pharmacist about any other medications or products that you are taking . This helps prevent interactions between medications .
Ask your pharmacy about automatic refills or reminders to avoid running out of your medication .
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