Medication Management Tips

Doctors explaining medication management tips

If you take prescription medications regularly, you need to understand how important medication management is to your overall health. You need to know what drugs you’re taking, when to take them, and what their side effects might be.  To better assist you in this task, here are some steps you can follow.

Ask Your Doctor

When a doctor prescribes a certain medication, don’t be afraid to ask him how it works and what side effects it might produce. You need to know the exact dosages and when you should take them. It’s important to understand that drugs can interact with others and if a medication you’re already taking should be discontinued or perhaps taken at a different time of day to avoid undesirable interaction.

Make Sure to Store Your Medicines Properly

Most drugs are designed to be stored in a dry place at room temperature, but some drugs require refrigeration. If you’re taking multiple medications, it may be easier for you to store them in a pillbox that has a compartment for each day of the week, and each time of day. Keep your medications dry and away from excessive heat, and watch out for expiration dates, as some drugs can be dangerous if they’re too old. If they’ve expired, they should be disposed of responsibly.

Take your Medications at the Right Time

You need to always take your medications daily. If you need to, set a reminder on your phone or tablet. If a certain medication is supposed to be taken at a certain time, say bedtime, follow that schedule. Don’t skip a day on your medications.

Keep a List

You should always have a list of the medications you’re taking, including the dosages.  On your list, you should include the name of the drug, what it’s for, the prescribing doctor and his phone number. Share this information with your spouse or other caregiver, as it could be very important in an emergency, so that the emergency personnel would know what medications are in your system. Review this information with your doctor regularly.

Food and Drink

Some medications may need to be taken on a full stomach, others on an empty stomach. Your doctor can advise you on this. Consuming alcohol may affect how your drugs are working, so again, ask your doctor’s advice about drug efficacy and alcohol consumption.

Watch for Reactions or Side Effects

If you experience a reaction or a side effect, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may want to adjust the dosage or suggest a different medication. If you have a severe reaction, you should call 911 for immediate assistance.

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