Medication Safety

Determine how you can reduce the dangers and get the most out of your prescriptions. There are many people involved in the distribution of medicine: Specialists, doctors, salespeople, nurses and consumers (YOU) are all involved. Do you know how avoid medication mismanagement? Read on to find out how you can lessen the dangers faced from taking prescription medication.

Key Points to Managing Medication

·       Ask Questions

·       Discover the Facts

·       Consider your options

·       Check the label

·       Get help from experts

To get the best treatment, make sure that your health care provider is working for you. The more data that your doctor and the people who treat you have about you the better. If you are switching to a new health care provider or doctor’s office, you will have to make sure that they know:

·       Any medications you have been prescribed in the past

·       Any current prescription medications you are taking

·       Any OTC (over the counter) medications you are taking

·       Dietary supplements

·       Allergies to medicine

·       Sensitivities you’ve had in the past to prescriptions medication

·       Anything that cold interact with a prescription drug. For example, pregnancy, memory problems, trouble swallowing etc.

Ask Questions

Your medical insurance provider can help you settle on what you need to consider. However, there are some standard questions everyone needs to ask. It’s also a good idea to bring along a trusted friend to help you. If you know anyone in the medical profession this may be to your advantage.

Discover the Facts

Before going in and deciding to take a prescribed or over the counter medication, do some research. Learning as much as you can beforehand can help you make a wise decision. Below are some things you should know:

·       The generic and brand name of the drug

·       What are the active ingredients? Sometimes more than one drug are mixed together.

·       What are the inactive ingredients? There are also non-drug ingredients that you may be allergic to (wheat, soy, gelatin).

·       Side effects. What are the side-effects. You will want to know if there are any undesired effects from takin the medication and what to do if you experience them.

·       Warnings. Drug manufacturers are required by the FDA to include warnings to promote proper use of their products. These warnings will give you detailed information about things like when you should stop taking the drug, adverse reactions and more.

·       Drug interactions. This includes what drugs you shouldn’t mix with the medication. You can find out what kind of issues may arise from mixing the medication with things like dietary supplements, liquor, tobacco or other medications.

·       Overdose. Find out what to do in case you take too much of the medication.

·       Dosage. Learn about the standard doses and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much.

·       Storage. Find out how and where to keep your prescription.

·       Expiration date. This is the date that the medication where the medication may no longer work or be unsafe to ingest. 

You can find information from the drug store, online, the manufacturer and your doctor. If you have more questions, ask your healthcare insurance provider.

Consider Your Options

By now you should have a decent understanding of all the dangers you face as well as the potential benefits.  After you have all the information you need, think about your options. Weigh the pros and cons of your decisions.

Check the Label

You can read the label to see what active ingredient(s) are contained in the drug in question. You may learn that the prescription or OTC drug contains an active ingredient that you don’t respond well to.

Whether you are getting an OTC medication or a prescription medication, you should check the directions as well. If you decide to make a purchase, you should only do so after you know how to take the medication. If you have more questions ask a pharmacist to help you. This can help you answer the following questions:

·       Is this drug right for me?

·       How much should I take?

·       How often should I take it?

·       How should I take it?

Any time you start taking medication, pay attention to how you feel. Your prescription may need to be adjusted. If you start to experience any undesirable effects, contact help immediately. Your health care provider will work with you to determine which type of medication is best for you. Total Home Health can connect you with experienced health care experts who are ready to help you live a long, healthy and fulfilling life. Join today to learn jumpstart a longer, healthier life.