American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [102]
• If you are having difficulty swallowing your medication, talk to your doctor. Do not split or crush pills or tablets or open capsules unless he or she tells you to do so.
• Don’t drink alcohol if your doctor or pharmacist has told you it can interact with your medication or make it ineffective. (Some cold and cough remedies and mouthwashes contain alcohol.)
• Because one medication can interact with another or with other substances, your doctor needs to know about all the medications you are taking, especially if another health care provider prescribed them. Make a list of everything you are taking—including prescription and over-the counter drugs; vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional supplements; and herbal remedies—and bring it with you when you visit your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medication. Some allergic reactions can lead to anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening condition.
• Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease. These conditions can influence how your body handles medication.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Medication can be passed to a fetus through the placenta or the bloodstream and to an infant through breast milk.
• Tell your doctor if you smoke or chew tobacco. Some medications may not work if you use tobacco.
• Don’t stop taking your medication because you are feeling better—unless your doctor has told you to do so. For example, if you stop taking an antibiotic too soon, your symptoms may return, or treatment could be ineffective. It is essential to continue taking medication to control a long-term condition such as high blood pressure.
• Don’t stop taking your medication because it is causing side effects. Instead, contact your doctor, who will adjust the dosage or prescribe a different medication. Continue taking your medication until your doctor tells you to stop.
• Store all medications properly, preferably in their original containers. Never store more than one drug in a single container. Keep your medication out of direct sunlight and away from heat and moisture, which could alter the effectiveness of the drug. Never store medication in a bathroom medicine cabinet or kitchen cupboard. Instead, store it in a cool, dry place. If your medication needs to be refrigerated, store it on the top shelf of the refrigerator, which is usually the coldest, but make sure it doesn’t freeze.
• If you have children in your home, request childproof caps on all your prescriptions and store all medications (including over-the-counter drugs and vitamins) in a locked cabinet or drawer.
• Always check the label carefully before taking a medication to ensure that you are taking the correct drug. To avoid mistakes, never take medication in the dark.
• Never share prescription medication with others, and never take medication that was prescribed for someone else.
• Keep your prescriptions up-to-date. To avoid interrupting your treatment, check labels from time to time, and tell your doctor as soon as possible when a prescription is about to expire.
• Dispose of all expired medications, including over-the-counter drugs that are past their expiration date. Keep the medication in its original container with a child-resistant cap, put it in a sealable plastic bag, and throw it in the trash.
• Keep the phone number of your local poison-control center next to the telephone. Call the number if you take an overdose.
• If you have any questions about your medication, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Managing Medication for Older People
Many older people are treated for more than one condition or by more than one doctor. They may need to take several different prescription and nonprescription medications every day, and can easily become confused about what medication to take at what time. Some older people may accidentally skip doses or take extra doses, while others may have trouble swallowing their medication. All of these problems can present serious health risks.
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