Taking Medication

Some people may need to take medication every day. Others rarely take any over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications. Knowing what to do will make it easier to take care of yourself whenever you need medication.

Choosing a Drugstore

Whether it's near your home or in your clinic, the drugstore you select should be one that suits your needs. Go to that drugstore consistently so that the pharmacist has all your medications on file. That way, he or she can check your records for possible drug interactions and allergies whenever a new prescription is filled. (Most drugstores have a computer program that does this.)

Look for a drugstore where pharmacists will take the time to answer your questions thoroughly, either in person or over the phone. Some drugstores offer special conveniences such as 24-hour emergency service, computerized records of the drugs you purchase, senior citizen discounts and delivery service. Consider cost, helpful service and convenience when deciding which drugstore to use. Your health plan may also have a list of pharmacies in its network.

Managing Your Medicine

Medications can interact with one another and with certain foods, and must be taken correctly to be effective. You can make sure your medicines work for you instead of against you by following a few simple steps whenever you get a new prescription.

Whenever you visit your health care provider, bring a complete list of any prescription or OTC drugs you are taking. OTC medications include aspirin and other pain relievers, antacids, laxatives, cough and cold medicines, and vitamin supplements, to name a few. If you have more than one health care provider, be sure each one knows what the others have prescribed.

Tell your provider and pharmacist about any past reactions to specific drugs. If you are allergic to a certain drug, such as penicillin, your provider needs to know this. Make sure this information is in your medical record.

You should also keep your own record of the medications you take. Update your records whenever you receive a new prescription. You'll be more likely to take your medicine as directed, and you may avoid a bad reaction.

When most prescriptions are filled, pharmacists now provide a comprehensive document describing the prescribed medication, side effects, interactions with other drugs and other problems that might be encountered. If you have trouble understanding the document, you can ask the pharmacist or your health care provider for further help. Here are some questions to ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you are not fully clear about a new medication:

• If I miss a dose, should I double up next time?

• Does this medication have any serious side effects? If I notice side effects, which should I report to you and which can I ignore?

• Is it OK to drink alcoholic beverages while I'm using this medication?

• I have another health problem and want to use an OTC medication. Is it OK to use with my current prescription?

• Are there specific foods I should avoid?

• Are there ways to treat my condition that don't involve medication?

• If I think I might be pregnant, or am planning on becoming pregnant, is it OK to take this medication?

What Is a Drug Formulary?

Some health plans have drug formularies, which are lists of safe and effective brand-name and generic drugs covered by the plan. This list is usually developed by a committee of physicians and pharmacists that reviews all available drugs and selects safe, effective and quality drugs to include in the formulary. This committee also reviews new drugs that come on the market and decides whether to add them to the formulary. Hospitals, clinics and HMOs have been using formularies for years to promote proper treatment and keep drug costs down.

When you receive a prescription from your health care provider, ask him or her whether the drug is on the formulary. If it is not, he or she may prescribe an alternative that is on the formulary. If your provider believes it is necessary for you to take a drug that is not on the formulary, he or she can contact the plan to request an exception.

Making Your Medicine Work for You

Your medication will be most effective if you carefully follow all the instructions for taking it. Taking a pill at the wrong time of day can affect how some drugs work, and OTC drugs, certain foods or alcohol can interfere with the action of many medications. To get the most out of your medicine, follow these steps.

Take all your medication, in the proper dosage, at the proper times. If you don't understand the instructions or if you have a question, ask your health care provider or pharmacist. Just because you are starting to feel better doesn't mean you can stop taking your prescription, unless your provider tells you that you can. Always talk with your health care provider before making any changes in how you take your medications.

Always follow the directions on the label. Some drugs must be taken with food, and others work best on an empty stomach. You may also need to avoid alcohol or stay out of the sun while taking certain drugs. Even instructions such as "shake first" or "refrigerate" can make a big difference in the drug's effectiveness. Repeat the instructions on your prescription in your own words to the pharmacist before you leave the pharmacy. This way you will understand how to take your medicine.

Chewable medications should only be chewed. Coated tablets must be swallowed whole. The purpose of the coating is to allow for release of the medication at a certain point in the digestive tract. Some medications may require you to take half a tablet. Your pharmacist should be able to give you a tool to use for splitting pills.

Ask about side effects and report reactions promptly. Some side effects are common and are not dangerous. Others can signal that a drug isn't right for you. If you don't feel right, call your provider or pharmacist. Report the name of the drug you're taking and the reaction(s) you're having.

Take your prescription drugs only. Never take another person's prescription, even if you're certain it will help your condition.

Know whether you can drink alcoholwhen taking a medication. Alcohol may react with medications you are taking. There are about 100 prescription medications that cause problems when combined with alcohol, some severe, some even fatal. Ask your pharmacist or your health care provider whether your medications are affected by alcohol.

Be consistent. Remember to take your medication regularly and on time. If you miss a dose, check with your provider or pharmacist. You might be told to double the next dose, but at times that could be harmful. Don't make the decision on your own.

Find a way to remember to take your medicine. Try to link taking medicine with other activities that are part of your daily routine, such as meals or bedtime. Here are some examples:

• Once a day: watching the evening news.

• Twice a day: brushing your teeth. (Turn the bottle upside down in the morning and right side up in the evening.)

• Four times a day: at three meals and at bedtime. (If the medicine should be taken on an empty stomach, take one hour before meals.)

Over-the-Counter Medicine

Even though you don't need a prescription to buy them, OTC medications are drugs that should be taken with care. In fact, some OTC drugs were once available only by prescription. OTC drugs can cause overdoses, allergic reactions,and dangerous interactions with other medications, just as prescription drugs can. People with certain chronic illnesses can't take some OTC medications.

OTC drugs can also interfere with your prescription drugs. For example, a seemingly innocent antacid can destroy the effectiveness of certain antibiotics. The side effects of cough or cold medicines can be serious if you're taking medicine for high blood pressure, diabetes or glaucoma.

Choose OTC drugs with care, making sure to take the right medication for your symptoms. Not all OTC drugs recommended for treating a specific condition have the same active ingredients. Read the label to make sure you're taking medicine that will treat the symptoms you have, or ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.

Storing Your Medicine Safely

Storing a medicine improperly--where it is exposed to extreme temperatures or dampness, for example--can make it less effective or even dangerous. Follow these tips to keep the potency in your prescription and OTC medications:

• A cabinet in a dry environment is better for storage than the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.

• Store medication in a locked cabinet that is out of the reach of children.

• Store your medication properly. Some need to be refrigerated, and others must be kept away from the light. All medication containers should be tightly sealed to keep the medication from spoiling. If it is hard for you to open child-resistant tops, ask your pharmacist for easy-to-open tops.

• Check expiration dates on OTC medications. Aspirin that smells like vinegar has gone bad and should be thrown away. Throw out unused or expired medications.

• Rinse out and discard bottles. Never use them to store other medications.