Take Your Medications Wisely

Our experts tell how to get the most from the drugs you need

Is it pill time?
Am I on too many drugs?
Has this bottle expired?
Is this a side effect?
Can I skip a dose?

Is my teen misusing prescription drugs?

Teens around the country are taking prescription stimulants, antidepressants and painkillers to get high, “mellow out” or lose weight. They get these drugs from friends, the Internet and parents’ and grandparents’ homes. Read our expert’s advice on symptoms, risks and how to prevent the problem.

If you’re over age 50, chances are you’re taking a few prescription and over-the-counter medications. They certainly help control health conditions and make you feel better—but as with any tool, there’s a right and wrong way to use them. You’ll get the most benefit from your medications if you follow these strategies from geriatrician Tatyana Kemarskaya, M.D., and doctor of pharmacy Lauren Grantz of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network:

● Know why you need the drug. Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes not, Kemarskaya says. “For example, beta blockers traditionally are prescribed to control high blood pressure, but your doctor may prescribe a beta blocker even if your blood pressure is normal, because these drugs also help other heart-related conditions.”

● Take the drug at the same time every day to maintain the right amount in your body. “Build it into your routine,” Grantz says. “If you’re a morning coffee drinker, keep the pills in the same cupboard.” (It’s a better choice than the moisture-laden bathroom cabinet.) A pill organizer or chart can help.

● Be aware of the drug’s impact on your life. For example, coumadin requires regular blood tests and interacts with alcohol and many other prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Also, its action is affected by vitamin K, so your intake of foods like green leafy vegetables needs to be at a steady level.

● Avoid taking too many drugs. “Ask your doctor about nondrug treatments for your condition,” Kemarskaya says. For gastroesophageal reflux, for example, raising the head of the bed or changing your diet might provide as much relief as taking a medication.

● Don’t quit a drug or change the dose without asking your doctor. “If you can’t afford it, drug companies, the state and even retailers have programs to help you,” Grantz says. If the issue is side effects, don’t believe everything you read. Side effects vary from person to person, and your symptoms may be from another cause. If you think you’re having a side effect, always discuss it

● Know the difference between side effects and allergies. “Allergies may show up as rashes or swelling or may affect your breathing,” Kemarskaya says. “If you think you’re allergic to a drug, stop taking it immediately and call your doctor. If it’s simply a side effect, your doctor can prescribe a different drug from the same class of medications; if it’s an allergy you’ll need to avoid the whole class.” Keep a careful record of what you’re allergic to.

● Make sure a health professional knows everything you’re taking. “Fill all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy, so we can check our database for potential interactions,” Grantz says. Carry a list of your prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medications when traveling or comparison shopping, and tell your doctor if you order by mail.

● Don’t take anyone else’s medications. Both you and a friend might have high blood pressure, but because of other health conditions you need different drugs.

● Notice the date. As long as they’re stored properly, solid tablets are still effective for another 2-3 months. Liquids and injectibles shouldn’t be used after the expiration date, Grantz says.

● Be careful with over-the-counter drugs. “Labels can be misleading, so read the fine print,” Kemarskaya says. “For example, Tylenol and Tylenol PM have different ingredients. The Benadryl (diphenhydramine) in Tylenol PM can be dangerous for the elderly.”

Want to Know More about taking blood thinners? Call 610-402-CARE.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, July-August 2008

ARTICLE TOOLS: