Medication Safety Tips For Seniors:

Don't be shy about asking your doctor or pharmacist about your medications. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about all new prescriptions. Following are some questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist to help you avoid possible problems with your medications. In addition, here are some general medication safety tips.

•   When you see your doctor and receive a new medication, ask your doctor to print the name of the new medication on the prescription slip. If you cannot read the prescription drug name, its possible that your pharmacist cannot read it either.
  
  
•   It's important that you know your doctor's name. Ask your doctor to print his/her name or circle his/her name on the prescription sheet. It's important that you know your doctor's name and can give your pharmacist your doctor's name, particularly if this is a new doctor for you.
  
  
•   Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about your new medication. Ask the pharmacist for the patient information sheet covering your new medication.
  
  
•   Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain more about your new medication, if you don't understand why you are taking a medication.
  
  
•   Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking and include over-the-counter, herbal, vitamin and dietary supplements.
  
  
•   Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies you may have.
  
  
•   Look at the label carefully when you get a new medication. If there is information on the label of your medication that you do not understand, ask the pharmacist.
  
  
•   Look at your medication label and contents if it is a refill. If the medication looks different from the pills you were taking, call your pharmacist immediately.
  
  
•   Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you are experiencing any side effects or changes in the way you feel when taking a new medication.
  
  
•   Go to your appointments for scheduled laboratory tests or follow-up visits. Monitoring helps doctors and pharmacists know if your medication is working.
  
  
•   Use a pillbox or several pillboxes that hold medications for a week, and label your boxes. Example: AM; Noon; PM; Bedtime. Be sure to keep this out of reach of children.
  
  
•   Use a calendar or medication's record to help you remember whether you have taken your medications each day and on time.
  
  
•   Ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do if you miss a dose of your medication.
  
  
•   Ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do if you accidentally take more medicine than is recommended.
  
  
•   Ask your pharmacist or doctor to review the medications you are taking at least once a year.
  
  
•   Carry a medication record with you in your purse or wallet. Particularly, take your medications record with you to doctor's appointments and to your pharmacy when you are picking up new medication(s). The list will remind you of all of the medications you are taking and help the doctor and pharmacist manage your drugs appropriately.
  
  
•   Throw away medications that are outdated. Medications are considered outdated if they are one year from the date the prescription is filled, unless otherwise noted. Do not discard medications where small children or pets can find them.
  
  
•   Keep all medications out of reach of children. Do not believe a safety cap will keep children from opening the medication bottle. Do not share medications prescribed for you with anyone else. If you take too much medication or don't feel well after taking your medication, and you cannot reach your doctor or pharmacists, call the: Hennepin Regional Poison Center Emergency phone: 1-800-222-1222 (voice and TTY).
  
  
•   Store medications in a cabinet other than the bathroom cabinet where too much moisture and/or heat may make your medications less effective. Safe places to store your medications might be a linen closet, dresser drawer or kitchen cupboards. Some medications should be refrigerated; follow the instructions on your medication container.