As we grow older, we
find the number of medicines needed increases. Many older people
are taking six or seven prescriptions as well as over-the-counter
medications. This is double-edged. The upside is that it may make
you healthier and better able to cope with your medical problems,
but the downside is that if you do not take your medication correctly,
it can be harmful.
When a doctor prescribes
medicine, it is because he/she believes it is necessary for your
condition. Yet, in the US it is believed that 14% of prescriptions
are never filled and 13% of those that are filled are never taken.
If a certain number of doses are prescribed, it is necessary to
complete the regimen of doses. By not completing the course of
the prescribed medications a condition may worsen or return. Furthermore,
it is estimated that 29% of all filled prescriptions are not finished.
It is also important
to take your medicine correctly. Some medications need to be taken
with food, others on an empty stomach, some at night, some in
the morning. Ask your doctor to give you written instructions
and your pharmacist to explain how to take the drug. Most pharmacies
give you a computer printout explaining how to use the prescription,
its side effects, precautions, drug interactions and what to do
in case you accidentally take an overdose or miss a dose. It is
very hard to remember all this information when you are taking
numerous prescriptions; therefore, be sure to keep these instructions
in a safe place and refer to them periodically.
Because many drugs
interact with other medications, be sure the doctor has a complete
list of all the drugs (both prescription and over-the-counter
drugs as well as vitamins and other supplements) you take. It
is helpful to take an updated list every time visiting a physician.
Most elders see three or four different doctors and it is up to
us to protect ourselves by making sure we know what drugs we take
so doctors can correctly and safely prescribe for us.
One of the misconceptions
we have about medicine is that we should keep it in our medicine
cabinet. Because they should be stored in a dry safe place we
should not store them in the bathroom, generally the most
moist location in a house. In addition, keep all medications away
from sunlight.
Although safety caps
on medicine bottles are important in homes with small children,
they discourage older people from taking their medicine because
they they may not be able to remove the cap. If you cannot put
the safety cap back on it allows moisture to react with the pills
perhaps causing disintegration. If you are taking a pill that
needs to be cut in half, it is best if you wait until it is time
to take your pill to cut it. Halving a number of pills ahead of
time may allow them to absorb moisture.
Prescription bottles
have a date after which the contents are no longer effective.
In some cases outdated drugs can decompose and turn dangerous.
Check your bottles periodically and throw away all drugs that
have expired.
It is still not well
publicized that you need to share medical information with your
dentist. Some medications used by dentists can interact adversely
with prescription drugs. A number of health conditions require
that antibiotics be taken before dental work, including having
teeth cleaned, and other medications may have to be halted a few
days before dental work is performed. Tell your dentist what health
conditions you're experiencing and discuss planned dental work
with the doctor.
Do not skip taking
your prescriptions. In order to avoid confusion organize your
pills so that it's possible to check if you've taken them correctly.
Drug stores sell containers for organizing a week's pills at a
time.* Another suggestion is to create a sheet listing each medicine:
date, time to take it, what it is for and the name of the doctor
who prescribed it. Then photocopy and use each day, checking off
the appropriate areas when taking prescriptions.
Because drugs have
become so expensive, some people halve their pills in order to
save money. Before doing this always check with your doctor on
the efficacy of doing this. Only cut your pills when your doctor
prescribes one-half a pill. If cost is a problem, ask if a generic
drug can be substituted for a brand name drug. Ask a physician
for free samples. Some pharmaceutical companies offer assistance
programs for people who meet specific eligibility requirements.
To locate such programs go to the Medicare site www.medicare.gov.
**
Lastly, I would like
to suggest that you always check your prescription before leaving
the pharmacy. You just might catch a mistake. Sometimes the pharmacist
misreads the handwriting or may have accidentally picked up the
wrong pills. Also check that your name is correct. Make sure you
were handed the correct prescription. Although mistakes do not
happen too often they do happen and you can safeguard your health
by being watchful.
Cautious use of prescription
drugs leads to a healthier life.
*Editor's Note: We
have purchased for relatives a product that displays a clock,
allowing the user to remember when last they took a particular
medication.
** NeedyMeds
is one another site that informs about patient assistance
programs and other sources designed to help those who can't afford
their medicines
