Managing multiple medications is important to ensure you take everything safely and that medications do not interact with one another. Advice on keeping medications organized, as well as helpful tips for labels and refills.
When patients take multiple medications, the top thing that comes to mind is just drug interactions. Very important to be able to evaluate that and educate patients about it. Multiple medications drug interactions.
Patients must know all their medications and keep track of them. When a new medication is added, make sure to let the physician know all the medications on, then either the physician or a pharmacist would be able to tell whether or not there are any interactions that would happen in Cleveland Clinic.
Risk Factors of Multiple Medications
Medications Management NJ
When let us say you have an infection or are not feeling well, and a doctor puts you on an antibiotic. Certain antibiotics, when taken with certain vitamins such as calcium or iron, can bind to that antibiotic and make it less readily available in the stomach to be absorbed. When taking an antibiotic, make sure you take it for the full duration and exactly as directed.
Other factors can affect how drugs are metabolized in the body. How the body works with those medications and how they are metabolized by the liver. Sometimes two drugs may compete for metabolism in the body; therefore, you might get more of one drug than another, and that could cause side effects.
Managing Over-the-Counter Drugs, Vitamins, and Supplements
Whether it is a prescription medication, an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that does not need a prescription, or a dietary supplement like ginseng or St. John’s wort, or other herbal supplements, any of these can interact. Prescription drugs interact with each other; interactions occur between over-the-counter medications and prescriptions, and herbal supplements as well have some interactions with medication.
The key point is that patients need to keep an updated list of everything, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and dietary supplements. Note kept on phone whenever asked what medications are on. Show the note page on the phone or write it down, keeping a list in purse or wallet so that, if seeing multiple providers, those providers know.
Keeping an Updated Medication List
Keep a list on your phone. Ask the pharmacy or provider; they may recommend different tools or applications, or something as simple as keeping a note card in your wallet. Leave it in notes so you can always update it.
Managing Multiple Providers and Pharmacies
Going to different providers or multiple providers, making sure all care is managed even if going to different pharmacists or different doctors.
Recommend that patients use one pharmacy only; then the medication list will be completely updated, and the pharmacist can do all the necessary screening and counseling. If that cannot be done by a patient, it is most important that each pharmacy has an accurate list of medications. If there are any changes next time, each of those pharmacies should be updated with the current medication list.
If a provider does not have access to one electronic medical record or chart, each provider must know exactly what is on it, because when they prescribe something, physicians might realize they should not add a drug. After all, it might interact with another one.
Staying Organized with Medications
Get a pharmacist involved, trained to help do that. Certain medications: if it says take three times a day, twice a day every 12 hours, or taken with food. Sitting down with a pharmacist can help map that out for schedule and lifestyle. Use applications or programs to remind you to take medication at certain times. Pill boxes that map out what to take Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and what time of the day to keep organized.
- Set an alarm on your phone to help keep organized with medications.
- Be your own patient advocate and have a frank conversation with prescriber to see if you actually need to be on the medication.
- Have a list of questions when going into the office visit: Would you have time to review your medication list and still need to be on any of these medications?
- Ask the pharmacist if another medication in that class of drugs is available generically.
Handling Refills and Insurance
Refills, when allowed, are based on insurance coverage. If you’re going on an extended vacation and need an early refill, discuss it with the pharmacist so they can call or contact the insurance company to override it.
Try to be consistent. If you have a 30-day supply or a 90-day supply, try to get all medications on the same time frame and cycle. Automatic refill options at pharmacies help you get on the same schedule.
Checking Expiration Dates and Storage
Every six months, go through the medicine cabinet or kitchen and check what has expired or what the physician has taken off. Put unused medications in to safely dispose.
Expiration date on labels is really important. Using past expiration date could lose potency and not be as efficacious. Some drugs over time may change properties; taking an expired drug do not know if going to experience certain side effects. Only take medications before the expiration date.
Proper Medicine Storage Rules
Store medications in a place where it is not very humid; the bathroom is not the best place. Keep in the kitchen away from the stove. Depending on the medication, find out the exact storage instructions. Most are kept at room temperature. Some self-inject or oral antibiotic liquid or tablet might need to be stored in the refrigerator. Look in the pamphlet or on the label on the bottle; ask or call the pharmacist back so the drug remains efficacious and potent.
Asking Questions and Being an Advocate
Before leaving the physician’s office, make sure you understand why you started a new medication. Bring a family member or advocate who can hear the same information, or read the discharge summary aftercare visit sheet.
When getting a prescription filled, take the opportunity to be counseled by the pharmacist. Reach back out if experiencing side effects or anything negative happening. Pharmacists are easily accessible healthcare professionals, open and a phone call away.
