Benefis - Medication Safety Tips

Medication Safety Tips

Tips on Medication Safety

Medicine When you talk to your pharmacist or other health care professional, be an active listener.

Take notes. Repeat the instructions that you have been given so the health care professional knows that you have understood. Ask if there are printed materials on the medicines.

One of the best ways to avoid mistakes is to learn as much as you can about your medicines. If you are unsure you are using your medication correctly, or are unclear about its effects or purpose, speak with your pharmacist or doctor. Clear communication between you and the pharmacist, doctor, or other health care provider is critical for medication safety. Never hesitate to question a health care professional or express your concerns. In some circumstances, it may be useful for you to have a list of questions prepared before you meet with the health care professional so you won't forget to ask a question.

Make sure you take the right medicine and the right dose. When you receive a prescription order from your doctor, find out:

The name of the drug.
The strength.
How often to take it.
If applicable, how long it should be taken.

In addition, confirm with your doctor and pharmacist the medicine's intended use. In some cases, it may be appropriate to ask the doctor to place the purpose of the medicine on the prescription order – such as “for rash” or “for high blood pressure.” If your dosage schedule is changed, make sure you or your doctor informs the pharmacist.

Read the label as soon as you pick up your prescription. Look at the medicine in the container. Question any unexplained changes in medication size, color, markings, amounts, or doses. If you are unsure about the medicine, always check with the pharmacist.

Keep a list of all the medications you are taking with you. Include nonprescription products, herbal remedies and other alternative care products. Share the list with all your health care providers. This is important because sometimes these products can interact with each other or with other medication that you are taking.

All medications can cause side effects that are usually mild, but sometimes they can be serious. Your pharmacist and other health care providers can help you anticipate and understand these side effects and help you deal with them. If you experience unexplained symptoms or changes, contact the doctor and your pharmacist.

Know what to expect from your medication. Find out how soon you can expect to see results and what you should do if the medication doesn't seem to be working.

If you have ever had a bad reaction or an allergy to a drug, or a health care provider has ever told you not to take a specific drug again, tell your doctor and pharmacist and make certain that this information is in your records. Provide information on the type of allergic reaction that you experienced.

Generally, consumers should not be concerned about the potency of their medications, assuming that these products are used according to instructions and are not outdated.

Commercially available prescription and nonprescription medications are tested repeatedly by the manufacturer to ensure that they contain the proper amount of the medication as stated on the label. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has standards for the manufacture and packaging of prescription and nonprescription medications. Compounded or individually prepared medications are prepared by a pharmacist under standards set by State Boards of Pharmacy.

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