Are Your Medicines Safe for You?
Over half of all medications are used incorrectly. In fact, while Americans spend about $77 billion a year on prescriptions, over $76 billion is spent to treat problems that result from improper use of drugs, adverse reactions and drug interactions.
If you are like most people, you've taken prescription drugs, and you've likely taken more than one drug at the same time. You probably also take drugs now and then that you buy without a prescription - like pain relievers, cough & cold and allergy medicines. Yet many drugs, even over-the-counter medicines, can cause harmful side effects when they interact with each other or are used improperly.
Others can be dangerous when combined with alcohol, caffeine... even certain foods. In fact, few people realize that some drugs even cancel each other out when taken together or with certain vitamins, minerals or foods.
And, while the elderly are typically at higher risk because they often take more than one medicine at a time, the problem of harmful drug interactions or reactions is not restricted to any age or gender.
How Can You be Sure?
How can you be sure that you, your family and loved ones are not at risk of potential drug therapy problems? With advanced training, experience and knowledge, your pharmacist is a drug therapy specialist and is able to help make sure your medicines are safe and effective to you.
Take this opportunity to participate in the MedAssess™ program and have a complete Drug Use Review of your medications.
Here's just a part of what you'll learn.
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| Drug Use Review
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What It Means
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| Therapeutic Duplication
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Do you need all of them?
Are they doing the same thing?
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Drug to Drug
Interactions
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Do you cancel each other out?
Can they be taken at the same time?
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Drug to Disease
Contraindications
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Any special restrictions to consider?
What are the potential problems?
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Drug to Age
Contraindications
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Any age restrictions?
What are the potential problems?
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| Dose Check
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Is your dose too high or too low?
Is your dosage schedule correct?
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Drug Allergy
Warning
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Any special precautions to take?
Are you allergic to any of the drugs?
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Drug Adverse
Reaction Warning
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Can you tolerate your medications?
Are you having any reactions?
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And, that's just the beginning. Your pharmacist will review your drug therapy and personally go over the findings with you... even consult with your physicians when necessary. And, you get a complete, printed report on your medications to help make sure that you or members of your family understand each medication and can use them safely.
Drug Safety Tips:
- Tell your pharmacist and each doctor you see about all medications you are taking.
- Mention any vitamins and nutritional supplements you're using.
- Tell your pharmacist and doctor whether you drink alcohol or smoke tabacco.
- Make sure you understand all directions about taking the drug.
- Always read labels and follow directions exactly for all over-the-counter drugs.
- Ask your pharmacist:
- What time should I take the medicine?
- Should I take it with food, before or after eating?
- Should I avoid any foods, other prescriptions, or over-the-counter drugs?
- Should I avoid vitamins or other supplements?
- Is it safe to drive?
- What about alcohol caffeine, tobacco or sunlight?
- What are the side effects and what should I do if I have any?
- Have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy so the pharmacist has a record of all your medications.
- Always take your prescription according to the directions.
- Call your pharmacist or doctor immediately if you have any new or unusual symptoms.
- Store all drugs as the label directs.
- Don't share medications.
- Don't buy any medications if the protective seal is broken.
- Always take medications in good lighting so you can see what you are taking.
- Properly dispose of leftover medicine if package date shows it has expired.
- Store all drugs in a safe place, out of the reach of children.
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