Managing Your Medicines

Proper medicine management is what you need and it's one way yu're on your way to prompt treatment and healing, don't you think?
Here's what to do when your doctor suggests a drug, when you pick up your prescription and how to track your medicines.

Getting a New Prescription. If your doctor suggests a new prescription, ask how and when to take the drug. You should ask:

• what's the medicine for?
• when will you feel better?
• should you avoid any drinks?, foods or other things while using it?
• how should you store the medicine?
• where can you get more information about it?

Picking It Up. Don't forget to read the package insert before picking up your medicine. This guide will tell you about any food-drug interactions. Ask your doctor/pharmacist whether to avoid foods and beverages when taking your medicines.

Reviewing Your Medications. When it comes to both your prescription and OTC medicines, it's a good idea to know how to use them the right way. Here's what you can do:

• Keep a complete, up-to-date list of everything you take, including dose and directions.
• Show the list to all your health care providers at every visit before getting new prescriptions. Ask them to review it so that you can steer clear of drug interactions or avoid taking more medications than you need.
• Ask your doctor if there are generic medicines you can use that can save you money.
• Every time you refill a prescription or get more of an OTC product, see whether the size, shape, color or texture of the pill itself has changed. If so, ask the pharmacist to check that you have the right item.