For many of us, taking daily medication is a fact of life. And as our bodies age and change, the likelihood that we’ll be taking prescription drugs increases. But taking medicine can be risky business if we’re not careful. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people 65 and older are twice as likely as others to make a trip to the hospital emergency department with a medical problem related to taking medicine.
Don’t let this happen to you. Here’s how to play it safe with your prescription medicines — from learning what questions to ask your doctor to understanding how to securely buy drugs online.
1. Know your medicines
Knowing what you are taking and why, and making sure all your doctors know about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements and herbs you take is critical to avoiding dangerous drug interactions and side effects, health experts say. Be sure to keep a list of everything you take, including dosages and time of day you take it. Share the list with a loved one and take it to all your doctor visits. Also, carefully read labels and follow dosage directions, and don’t take medicines prescribed for anyone else, the National Institutes of Health advises.
2. Ask questions
It’s important to communicate carefully with your doctors and pharmacist, says the National Institutes of Health. They can best explain what you should know about your medicines. Also, each time you see your doctor, ask if you still need to take all of your medicines.
When you’re advised to take a certain drug, ask:
• Why I should I take this medicine?
• What are the common side effects or other problems to watch for?
• If they occur, what should I do?
• When should I stop taking this drug?
• Can I take it with the other substances I take?
• Are there foods and drinks I should avoid while on it?
3. Be safe at the pharmacy
Sometimes errors taking medication can be prevented before you even leave your neighborhood pharmacy. The National Institute on Aging recommends you:
• Check the medicine label and be sure your name is on it.
• Be sure you can read the label and understand the directions on it.
• If the pharmacist’s directions differ from what your doctor said, tell the pharmacist.
• If you have trouble opening medicine bottles, request an easy-open cap, but make sure you keep your medicine out of reach of children.
4. Buy smart online
If you choose to buy your prescriptions online where they may be cheaper, the Food and Drug Administration urges you to be sure the website has the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites seal of approval. This will ensure the site has been reviewed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and is properly licensed.
According to the FDA, the website also should:
• Be located in the United States and licensed by the state board of pharmacy where the site is operating. Check the NABP website for a list of state boards.
• Offer a way to speak with someone if you need to, and have a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions.
• Require a prescription from your doctor.
5. Listen to your body
Taking four or more medications or not taking them as directed can make you feel weak, dizzy, and cause other side effects, the Home Safety Council warns. In fact, one of the most common reasons for balance problems in older adults is medication use, the council says. Also, medicines like antidepressants and those that lower blood pressure can make you feel dizzy. If this happens to you, tell your doctor how you feel, and ask if your medicines should be changed or whether dosing should be altered.
6. Get a blood test
Some prescription medications require that we have regular blood testing to monitor for possible organ damage and other problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends asking your doctor whether you need special testing, and paying special attention to taking such medicines as directed. Common medications usually requiring monitoring are:
• Warfarin, a blood thinner
• Insulin, for diabetes
• Phenytoin, for seizures
• Digoxin, a heart medication
7. Don’t flush drugs
Always throw away medicines you don’t use and that have expired. But don’t dump them into the toilet or sink where they can poison the environment, the Home Safety Council warns. Throw them in the trash, but before you do be sure to:
• Remove the label for your privacy.
• Put the container in a closed plastic bag or wrap it in paper and keep kids and pets away from your trash.
• Crush any pills you have before throwing them away and mix the pieces with sand, kitty litter, or old coffee grounds.
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