Keep Pill Popping Safe

9 ways to better manage your medicines and supplements

The Pill Routine

The National Council on Patient Information and Education estimates that about half of prescriptions filled each year are not taken correctly. In fact, about one in five patients never even fill their original prescriptions!

By following some simple solutions outlined here, however, you can make sure you take your drugs properly, avoid interactions, and learn what to look for when buying over-the-counter drugs on your own.

1. Every time you visit a new doctor, or visit an old doctor after several months, bring every pill you're currently taking. Throw into a plastic bag every prescription medicine, vitamin, herb, supplement, and over-the-counter drug -- even the aspirin -- that you take in a typical day. Insist that your doctor look over it all to see if there are any problematic combinations or redundancies.

2. Ask your health-care professional if there is a way to streamline the medications you take. Some medications can be given once a day in sustained release, rather than having to take them three times a day. Others can be taken once per day or in a combination product that can decrease the numbers of drugs you're taking overall. Some can even be taken once a week!

3. Ask your doctor these questions about any new prescription:

• What is this medicine for?


• What side effects might I encounter?


• What side effects are dangerous and should impel me to stop taking this medicine and call you?


• If I have to stop this medicine because of side effects, is there another that I can take instead?


• What are the dangers for me if I don't take this medicine?


• What time of day should I take it?


• Should I take it with food or without?


• Can I take it with any kind of liquid, or only with water?
• How will I know if this medicine is working?


• How long should it take to begin working?


• How long should I continue taking this medicine?

Remember: While only a doctor can prescribe medicine, you are the one ultimately responsible for your health. Taking a prescription drug is your choice, and doing it smartly is your responsibility.

4. Consolidate all your prescriptions to one pharmacy, and then meet with the pharmacist. Pharmacists are more than just prescription fillers. They are specially trained in understanding possible medicine interactions, including interactions with herbal supplements. When you consolidate all your prescriptions, your pharmacist can be watchful for just such things. In addition, some pharmacists receive special training in managing diseases like hypertension and diabetes and can provide counseling sessions. They are also a great resource for insider information on the best over-the-counter drugs.

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