ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU TAKING YOUR MEDICINES SAFELY? Your doctor has prescribed a medicine and pharmacist has filled the prescription for you. Now it's up to you to take them safely. But, are you sure that you’re taking your medicines safely? Here are some things that you need to do to be sure that you're taking your medicines correctly. MAKE A LIST OF YOUR MEDICINES
Make a list of the medicines that you are going to take. Update your list every time you take a new medicine. If you stop taking any medicine, remove it from your list. Keep a copy of list in your bag every time you visit your doctor or visit a new doctor. Add all of your OTC drugs, supplements, herbals and vitamins in your list as there are chances of drug interactions.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST
Consult with your doctor before taking any OTC drug, supplement or vitamin. Visit your doctor ahead of your scheduled time to talk about the medicines. Talk to your doctor about:
All the drugs, OTC medicines, supplements and herbs you take.
Possible drug interactions with medicines you take.
Any health issue you have.
What to do in case of an adverse reaction or side-effect?
TAKE YOUR MEDICINES AS PRESCRIBED BY YOUR DOCTOR Taking medicines according to your prescription will help you to avoid possible drug interactions. Just make sure when to take, how to take, and whether you can take your medicine with food, drink, alcohol or any other drug. Be sure what to do if you miss your dose whether it’s prescription medicine, OTC medicine, herbs, or any supplement.
USE DRUG INTERACTION CHECKER
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to go through your medicine list to avoid possible drug interaction. Ask them to pass your list through a drug interaction checker to find medicines that can have bad interactions. Consult your doctor if you find any problem.
STICK TO ONE DRUGSTORE
The pharmacist knows about all medicines you take and will watch for possible drug interactions. Make sure that every pharmacist has information about your medicines if you fill prescriptions at more than one pharmacy.
KNOW YOUR MEDICINES
You may need to avoid some medicines due to some possible side-effects. Make sure to read your drug labels carefully to avoid possible drug interactions and side-effects. For example, if you are a heart patient and taking digoxin, you may have side-effect with clarithromycin - an antibiotic used for pneumonia. Taking clarithromycin with digoxin increases the effect of digoxin. Consult your doctor before taking any medicine and they’ll help you to know what medicines are safe for you.