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Serving Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County and Chester County since 1996.
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Issue 6, September, 2007
FEATURE ARTICLE - Maximizing Income and Assets for the Spouse at Home
HEALTHLINE - Medication Safety
LEGALLINE - Report Criticizes "Free Lunch" Seminars Aimed at Seniors
CAREGIVER HELPLINE - The Caregiver as Advocate
Medication Safety
As we age, we may be faced with more health conditions that require medication in order to be managed. Also, as we get older, normal body changes can affect the way medicines are absorbed. Because of these circumstances, there is also a bigger risk of drug interactions for older adults including drug- drug interactions where medicines interact with each other to cause unwanted effects, drug-condition interactions where a medical condition makes certain drugs potentially harmful, and drug-food and drug-alcohol interactions which can cause adverse effects.
The more you know about your medicines and the more you talk with your health care professionals, the easier it is to avoid problems with medicines. It is important to remember that over the counter medicines (OTC) and supplements can interact with other medications and your health care professional should be aware of all the medicines or supplements you are taking. Remember: ALL MEDICINES COUNT (Here are some tips from the US Department of Health and Human Services):
Keep a list of medications
Maintain a written record of the medications taken, including drug name, dosage and frequency; this is helpful during regular physician visits and in case of emergency
Give your health care team important information
Current prescription medicines
Medicines you buy without a prescription (OTC)
Vitamins and dietary supplements
Medication allergies
Other health care professionals who have prescribed medicine, or suggested that you take a vitamin or herbal supplement
Learn about your medicines before you leave the doctor's office with a new prescription by asking:
What is the name of the medicine and what is it supposed to do? Is there a less expensive alternative?
How and when do I take the medicine and for how long?
Whether to take it with water, food, or with a special medicine, or at the same time as other medicines.
Can it be taken with over-the-counter medicines? If so, when?
What to do if you miss or forget a dose.
Whether you take it before, during, or after meals.
The timing between each dose. For example, does "four times a day" mean you have to take it in the middle of the night?
What your doctor means by "as needed."
Are there any other special instructions to follow?
What foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
Will any tests or monitoring be required while I am taking this medicine? Do I need to report back to the doctor?
What are the possible side effects and what do I do if they occur?
When should I expect the medicine to start working, and how will I know if it is working?
Will this new prescription work safely with the other prescription and over-the-counter medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?
Use one pharmacy
Many seniors recieve prescriptions from more than one doctor, making drug interactions more likely. By using one pharmacy, prescriptions are consolidated, and the pharmacist can check for possible interactions between medications.
Keep track of side effects or possible drug interactions
Maintain a schedule and organize your medicines
Use a calendar, chart or written schedule, pill box or other devices to help you remember what you need to take and when; holding to a routine can decrease chances of missing dosages or taking more than needed
Get prescriptions refilled early enough
Avoid running out of medicine which may cause problems with your medicine schedule
Have a medicine check-up at least once a year
Go through your medicine cabinet and throw out old or expired medicines
Review with your doctor or pharmacist all the medicines you are taking, including over the counter medicines (OTC), vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbals
Keep medicines in a cool, dry place, away from bright light
Don't store where heat and moisture can alter their effectiveness
Don't store in the refrigerator unless doctor, pharmacist, or the label tells you to
Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children
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Havertown, PA 19083 |
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