10 Tips for Responsible Medication Use

All medications, which include prescriptions, over-the-counter preparations, vitamin and mineral supplements, and herbal preparations, are potentially dangerous. Following some simple rules will not only reduce your chance of having a problem, but should reduce your cost as well.

  • Always shop around for medications ? there is a significant difference in cost from pharmacy to pharmacy. Check both online and offline sources. For example, several of my patients have realized a significant cost savings by using the Costco pharmacy as well as online Canadian pharmacies. Should you choose to use a Canadian pharmacy, please keep abreast of any laws that may affect your purchase.

  • Always check to see if a generic equivalent is available. Today, there are very few medications on the market where generics are not acceptable.

  • If you can, have your prescription filled for 90 days. It will cost less than if you bough 30 days worth over 3 months. One of the reasons is that pharmacies charge a filling fee for each prescription filled.

  • Will you medication allow you to take a half-tab? For example, if you are taking lisinopril 20mg, you can purchase 40mg tablets and break them in half ? a savings of 50%. Always check with your health care provider and/or pharmacist first?not all medications can be broken. Also, consider those nifty little pill cutters?they work wonderfully.

  • Do you really have to take all that medication in the first place? The best advice I can give you is to put everything into a bag and take it with you to your appointment. Make sure that you and your provider are on the same page when it comes to medications/supplements that you are taking. This is especially true when you are seeing more than one prescribing provider. You may have duplicates that you are unaware of. Always ask?"do I really need this"?

  • Keep an up-to-date list of your medications with you at all times.

  • It is your responsibility to learn the names of your medications and why you are taking them! Most likely, your provider does not know what you mean by the "little pink pill" or the "white capsule". There are literally dozens of each.

  • Check your medications before you leave the pharmacy. If something does not look right, ask about it right then. DO NOT take something you are unfamiliar with.

  • Follow label directions. If you are taking something for osteoporosis, chances are you were told to take it with a full glass of water, sitting upright while avoiding any other food or fluids for 30 minutes. They were not making it up! This goes for the labels on over-the-counter preparations. This is one time that "if a little is good, a lot must be better" can be a dangerous thought.

  • Another very important tip. If at all possible, it is in your best interest to have a primary care provider. Ideally, he or she will coordinate your care with specialists, and keep track of all the medications you are on. If you have a complete profile on record, then between your one primary provider, and your one pharmacist, any problems in your medications should be picked up.

  • This bonus tip comes from a lesson taught to me by a wonderful patient of mine?If you and your partner both take medication, do NOT mix them up. It can have serious consequences!

    While proper nutrition and exercise are the mainstays of treatment for most health challenges, medication use is sometimes unavoidable. Make sure you need them; know what they are and how to take them. Follow directions, and don't share! Most of all, always seek to understand what you are taking and what it's suppose to do for you.

    Your body will thank you.

    For over 26 years, Barbara C. Phillips, MN, NP has been involved in health care. Now, as the founder of OlderWiserWomen, LLC, that experience and passion is focused on Women who want to experience the freedom, magic and wisdom of successful aging. She can be reached through http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    A Look at the Different Acid Reflux Symptoms

    Acid reflux symptoms vary in degrees of discomfort, from person... Read More

    Blood Pressure Treatment: High and Low Blood Pressure Tips and Medication!

    High blood pressure is on the rise worldwide. But, doctors... Read More

    What You Should Know About Mixing Medications and Diet...

    I had a call the other day from a potential... Read More

    Polysomnography: One Tool in Helping in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Fibromyalgia

    Stop! and imagine for one moment that your body is... Read More

    Dr. Will Horsley, M.D.

    Dr. Horsley is Cornea fellowship trained and Lasik board certified... Read More

    Medical Error Crisis

    The unfortunate truth about medical errors is that they plague... Read More

    A Look At Acid Reflux Treatment

    Heartburn is a by-product of digestion, specifically affecting the esophagus... Read More

    Over The Counter Pain Medication: How To Choose The Right Drugs

    With the recent front-page news about the possible hazards of... Read More

    Phentermine Price Watch: Comparison Shop To Buy Phentermine At The Best Values Online

    When compared with the other prescription diet pills, Phentermine is... Read More

    The 7 Most Dangerous Mistakes You Can Make When You See a Doctor for Arthritis!

    1. Seeing a doctor who's not board-certified or a doctor... Read More

    Advanced Surface Ablation

    In patients with corneal thickness below a certain minimum, performing... Read More

    UltraCET: The Dynamic Duo Of Prescription Pain Control Medications

    Remember the last time you stubbed your toe? OUCH! It's... Read More

    Low Blood Pressure ? Why is Your Blood Pressure Low?

    Why is your blood pressure low?As a doctor with an... Read More

    Online Pharmacy Watch: DEA Does Spring Cleaning Of Illegal Internet Pharmacies

    Since early 2004, it has become more apparent every day... Read More

    Stopping Hospital Infections

    Each year hospitals end up killing twice as many people... Read More

    Sinusitis: Sinus Infection Deals a Corporate KO

    Sinusitis and Sinus Infection Starts with a Little SniffleYes, I... Read More

    Environmental Medicine

    Our modern preservatives and other pollutants like yellow dye no.... Read More

    Utah Drug Rehab: Searching For A Therapist

    Finding the right treatment for any person suffering with a... Read More

    Thimerosal: Autism and Mercury Poisoning Side Effects?

    Thimerosal is a preservative that is added to vaccines (has... Read More

    Considerations in Distance Education for the Medical Assistant Instructor

    Medical Assistant distance education is emerging to meet the demands... Read More

    7 Tips to Keep Your Fluid Down on Dialysis

    As any dialysis patient will tell you, keeping your fluid... Read More

    Zicam Side Effects: Shortens Colds But Permanently Destroys Sense of Smell

    Zicam is a homeopathic intranasal zinc remedy that is intended... Read More

    Robotic Future of Hospitals; Pandemic Prevention and Bio-Terrorist Attack

    There is a huge concern in the medical industry that... Read More

    Warning! Flu Shots Can Be Dangerous To Your Health

    Every year about this time doctors around the world are... Read More

    Give Me Accutane or Give Me Death: The Politics of Prescriptions

    Any teenager will tell you that acne can drive you... Read More

    CT and MRI Scans in Neurological Practice: A Quick Overview

    Before computed tomographic (CT) scans became available in the 1970s,... Read More

    Testosterone Therapy in XXI Century

    Nowadays many people are familiar with the appellation of "low... Read More

    Top Ten Things You Should Know About Contact Lenses

    1. Soft lenses are perceived by most patients and practitioners... Read More

    Flatfeet in Children: When Are They A Problem?

    There are high arch feet and low arch feet and... Read More

    An Addition For Practitioners - How to Help Your Patients and Your Practice

    Please feel free to comment, so I may modify this... Read More

    I Hurt All Over... How to Ease Away the Pain of Fibromyalgia!

    At one moment, a life of activity consumed with enjoyable... Read More

    Affordable Drugs: Saving Money by Splitting Pills

    One of the least appreciated cost-savers in medical treatment is... Read More

    Buy Electric Wheelchairs Online

    Electric wheelchairs mobility for virtually any type of disability.Innovations have... Read More