Medicines Made Easy

7/28/2019 Medicines Made Easy

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Cnversatin isthe Best Medicine

MEDICINESMADE EASYTis y t w abtaai y iisbt w aai t as.

Lookinside

foryourpersonalmedicati

on

record!


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TABLE of CoNTENTS

I. InTroducTIon 1

II. Before You See The docTor 3

Your Personal Medication Record 4

III. AT The docTorS 5

Questions About Your Medication 6

Detailed Questions List 8

IV. AT The PhArmAcY 13

What You Can Get From Your Pharmacist 14

V. mAke WISe choIceS And LoWerThe coST of Your medIcATIonS 17

Consider Generic Drugs 17

Research Your Drug Choices 18

Find Medication Discounts 19

VI. mAnAge Your medIcIneS 22

Remember 22

Take 23

Monitor 24

Avoid 24

Notice 28Store & Dispose 28

VIII. TIPS for cAregIVerS 31

reSourceS 33


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AcknwledgementsAARP would like to thank and acknowledge the ollowing contributors:

Susan Roche, writer consultant

Sta rom AARP Health Promotion, PPI, Brand Management and

Editorial Management

PhtgraphyPaul Fetters (page 5)

Piper Gottschalk (pages 1, 12, 25 and 31)

Blake Little (page 15)

Cade Martin (page 26)


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I. INTRoDUCTIoNDrugs can help us live better and longer.

But they can also cause problems.

Some drug-related problems are small, like an unpleasant side eect

that goes away quickly. Other problems are more complicated, like a new

prescription that intereres with a drug or a nutritional supplement that

your doctor or medical proessional may not know you are taking. Other

serious drug-related problems can lead to hospitalization, or worse.

Yu are in the best psitin t aviddrug-related prblems.

Becoming your own medication managerin partnership with your

doctor and your pharmacisthas never been more important. This is

the best way to ensure that you use prescription drugs saely, and that

theyre as eective as possible.

Theres a lot you can door yoursel or or someone in your amily.

Yu have the pwer...

...t ask questins

...t make wise chices

...t track yur medicatins.

Note: The word doctor is used as a general term to represent the medical proessional who a con-sumer or patient goes to or medical health care or services. The words prescription drugs, prescrip-

tions, drugs, and medications all reer to drugs that you receive through a prescription rom amedical proessional. The word medicines reers to either prescription or non-prescription drugs.


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Why pay mre attentin t yur prescriptin drugs?Why learn mre nw abut managing medicatins?

First o all, the number o drugs out there has exploded. Doctorscan choose rom many more prescription drugs today than even ten

years ago.

The number o older people using prescription drugs has also

exploded.

Three-ourths o people 45 or older take prescription drugs. And

they take an average o our prescription medications each day. The

older you get, the more likely you are to take more than our daily

prescriptions.

Your doctor and your pharmacist need you on their team. Heres why:

> older peple vary mre amng themselves than yunger

peple. Its impossible to generalize about us. Were the rst to

know i we dont eel right ater taking a drug. So we can tell our

doctor or medical proessional how we usually react to drugs.

> Medical students dnt receive much educatin n lder peple

and medicatins. According to the Gerontological Society, most

health care proessionals do not receive the geriatrics training

necessary to respond to the unique and complex health needs o

older adults. Doing some research on our own can help!

> Bere they g n the market, new drugs underg limited

testing n peple age 65 and lder. Those studies rarely involve

older people who were using other drugs, too. Thereore, thedrugs may work dierently when you use them.

> Als, ur bdies change as they age. Some o those changes can

aect how we absorb or digest drugs. Asking questions about this

can help push our doctor to adjust a drug dosage.

> Many patients dnt knw abut the pssible risks, side

eects, r pssibly dangerus interactins the prescriptin

drugs theyre taking. I your doctor doesnt oer to tell you, ask.The more you know, the saer youll be.

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II. BEfoRE YoU SEE

THE DoCToRYou have a doctors appointment. Your best move is toupdate your medications list or make one i you dont

have a list o all your medicines, and plan to ask ques-

tions. Let these tips help you prepare or your visit:

Ask r extra time when yu make yur appintment.

One o the best things you can do is ask or drug-consultation time

when you make your appointment. Explain that you need extra

time to discuss your prescriptions. Then, when you check in, tell the

receptionist that youve asked or extra time or a drug consultation.

Practice hw t manage yur visit.

At the beginning o the visit, say that youd like to reserve at least ve

minutes to talk about your medicines. Then be ready to use the extra

time well:

Think in terms o newspaper headlines to save time. Be brie.

Use words like excuse me to get your doctors attention. You can

also put your hand up while

you talk. This emphasizes

your need to slow down.

Consider bringing a loved

one or riend with you.

They can be another pair o

ears at your appointment.

Plan r hw yull eel.

No matter what, most o us eel nervous when we visit our doctor.

Tension can make us orget our questions. But it can also help us pay

more attention.

Try not to waste energy telling yoursel to eel another way. Whatever

youre eeling at the doctors is ne. Just use that eeling to make your

visit go your way.

Be curageus! Tell yur dctr the whle truth abut all yur

medicines.

Many health studies have asked medical proessionals and their

patients to each list what medicines the patient is taking. About 9

times out o 10, they dont agree!

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No matter what, most o

us eel nervous when we

visit our doctor. Tension can

make us orget our ques-tions. But it can also help us

pay more attention.


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It is important or you to tell your doctor the truth about all the

medicines you takeprescription, over-the-counter, or herbalto

avoid any health risks.

So, be honest. You can start with something like This is hard to

admit or This is embarrassing. Saying one o those can actually

increase your courage. Then take a deep breath and keep going. Your

saety is worth it.

Prepare a list all medicatins yure taking. Share the names

all yur medicines. Write yur list nw. And take it everywhere.

The best way to track your medications and help your doctor and

pharmacist is to create a

personal medication record.

This is a list o all the medi-

cines, including over the

counter drugs and herbal

supplements, that you take,

the doses, and how you take

them. You can use the personal medication record in this guide.Be sure to include the ollowing inormation:

> Your personal inormation, name and contact inormation.

> Your doctors names and contact inormation.

> Your emergency contact inormation.

> The name o your medicines, reason or use, orm (e.g., pill,

liquid, injection), use, dose, and start and stop dates or each

medicine.

Tips t get the mst ut yur persnal medicatin recrd:Make cpies.

Give one to your doctor, one to your pharmacist, one to a loved one.

Carry one with you and keep a copy at home.

Keep it updated.

Note i you are taking new medicines or going o medicines.

Record any drug allergies, side eects, or sensitivities you have.

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When it comes to your

health, conversation is the

best medicine. There are no

stupid questions.


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III. AT THE DoCToRSWhen it comes to your health, conversation is the best medi-

cine. There are no stupid questions. Theres also no limit

to how many questions you can have. You have the right and

responsibility to ask any questions about how medications

may aect you and your lie. This is not the time to be shy

or quiet. Yes, doctors and medical proessionals are busy,

but they can, and will, take time to answer your questions.

Plan or your visit and leave with the inormation that you need.

Consider these tips:

Think about your questions.

Write them down and bring them with you.

Be ready to ask them, even i you have to ask your doctor or

medical proessional more than once to explain the answer.

Share the names o all your medicineseverything you take.Ask about any possible side eects o the drugs you are taking.

Question i there are any alternatives.

You may have new or dierent questions at each doctors appointment.

Take this question list to your doctor. Fill it out together. Then, take your

list to your pharmacist. Your doctor can answer many o these questions,

but probably not all o them. Pharmacists have special training to give

you the medication details you need.

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Questins abut Yur MedicatinGet answers about each medication that your doctor prescribes or you.

Your Name

Doctors Name

Name of meDicatioN

Date

What is the name o this medication? What is it supposed to do?

What are the side eects?

When do I start and stop taking this medication? How do I take thismedicine?

Will this medication work saely with the other medications I am

taking?

Can non-drug actions help my symptoms, in addition to, or instead

o, this drug therapy?

Are there other medications that I can use? How do they compare in

saety, eectiveness and price?

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Additinal QuestinsTake a look at the detailed questions on the next few pages. They may give

you an idea of other questions you may want to ask.

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Ask your doctor or medical proessional to write on your

prescription orm:

the reason or your medication, and

the brand and generic names o your medication.

This helps the pharmacist double check that you receive the

correct medicine.

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Detailed QuestinsSticking with ve main ques-

tions is a good place to start. You

may have many more questions.

Consider choosing some ques-

tions rom this detailed list.

Why?Why is this the right medicine or me?

Is there another kind o treatment I could try rst, beore taking a

medication?

I this is a brand-new drug, is there an older drugwith a longer historyo working wellto treat my condition?

Is there a medicine with ewer side eects?

Is there a medicine that could be better or someone o my age?

My gender? My race?

Is there a dierent dosage that could be better or my age? My gender?

My race?

Is it OK to start out with a very low dose and see how that works?

Does a generic drug exist? I so, is the generic version OK or me to take?

Here is my personal

medication record; it lists

everything I take. Please lookthis over. Is it still OK to take

each o these while I take

this new medicine?


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Is there a cheaper drug that would work just as well?

Is there a drug that could work better or me, even i its not on my drug

plans approved list, or ormulary? Can you request that drug or me?

What?What will show me that the medicine is working? When will that be?

What do I have to do, to nd out i the medication is working?

What blood tests will I need while on this medicine?

What other tests will I need?

I tests will be needed, what baseline test do I take now?

When?When do I begin this medicine?

When will I stop taking it? Or will I take it orever? What should I do i I

eel better?


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When do I take it? Every day? How many times a day? When during the

day?

I I miss a dose, when do I make it up, or take the next dose?

What i I run out?

How many rells do I have?

Hw?How do I take this medicine? With or without ood or drink?

How long beore eating or ater eating do I take it?

Is it OK to take this drug at the same time as other medicines?

Can you adjust the instructions or all my medications, so I can take

them all on the same schedule?

How do I store this medicine? In the rerigerator? Somewhere else?

I I have trouble swallowing, can I split the pill or crush it into ood?


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Should I avoid any vitamins or over-the-counter drugs while Im taking

this drug?

Should I avoid any ood? Any drink?

Should I avoid any activities? What about driving?

What side eects are likely? What side eects are more likely in people

my age who take this drug?

How do I know i what I experience while taking this drug is dangerous?

What should I do i I experience side eects? Who should I call i I have a

problem?

Whats the most important caution I should keep in mind while taking

this drug?

Where?Where can I get printed inormation to read about this medicine

written or consumers? Can you give me a brochure?


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IV. AT THE PHARMACY

What is a pharmacist, anyhw?No one knows more about a broad range o prescription drugs and othermedications than your pharmacist. Pharmacists study all the aspects o

prescription drug therapy, with an emphasis on sae patient care. The

Doctor o Pharmacy (PharmD) degree requires at least two years o col-

lege ollowed by our years o proessional pharmacy study. To keep their

licenses, pharmacists must take several new courses every year to every

two years, depending on the state they are licensed in. Some pharma-

cists take extra training to specialize in such areas as geriatric pharmacy.

D yu talk with yur pharmacist?Pharmacists are more likely than your doctor to have the detailed

answers you want about your medications. You may be surprised at the

services your pharmacist can provide. In most states, only your doctor or

medical proessional, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner can actu-

ally prescribe a medication. But your pharmacist can suggest helpul

prescription changes to your doctor or medical proessional.

The more you can work in a trioyou, your doctor and your pharma-

cistthe more you will benet rom your medications.

Partnering with yur pharmacistHeres what to do:

You can go to any pharmacist you want. Some health insurance plans

make it more economical to use certain pharmacies. Do everything

you can to pick a pharmacy where you can ll all your prescriptions.

Select your non-prescription medications at the same pharmacy.

Go to the pharmacy in person. Try to choose a

time when theyre not likely to be busy.

Look or a sign showing where you can talk with the pharmacist. The

sign may say Pharmacist Consultation or Patient Counseling.

When you pick up your prescription, the pharmacy sta may ask

you to sign a statement about your privacy rights. There is oten an

electronic pen to sign with. By signing, you may also be certiying

that you (1) received your prescription, and (2) declined the phar-

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Pharmacists are more likely than your doctor to have the

detailed answers you want about your medications. You may

be surprised at the services your pharmacist can provide.


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macists oer to counsel you

about your prescription. I

you have questions about

your medicine, even i you

have signed with this elec-

tronic pen, you can still ask

to speak to a pharmacist.

When someone comes to the patient counseling area, tell

them, I have a question or the pharmacist. Only the

pharmacist is qualied to counsel you. It may be a phar-

macy technician or clerk who rst greets you.Be prepared or some lack o privacy. To ensure that no

one overhears you, you could bring a paper pad and pen.

You can write private statements or questions there.

Be prepared to wait or a ew minutes. Most pharmacists will

stop what theyre doing in order to talk with you. But there could

be emergencies or other rush situations that just cant wait.

What Yu Can Get frm Yur PharmacistYour pharmacist has specialized resources to help you get the answers

you need about your medications. Here are some examples:

Drug interaction inormation.

Printouts o your prescription drug spending, or your tax records.

Ocial notices about drug recalls or other problems.

Drug inormation reerence books and websites toinvestigate a drug youre wondering about.

Bring your questions, like those youve read in this guide, to your phar-

macist. Heres how your pharmacist can help with your questions:

What is the name this medicatinand what is it suppsed t d?

Your pharmacist should:

Check that the drug on your prescription is the right one or

your condition, not another drug with a similar name.

Make sure that this drug is not on a list o drugs

that older people should never take.

Ensure that the prescribed drug is not recalled or under investigation.

Check the list o all the medications on your patient prole to

help you avoid dangerous interactions. This check includesover-the-counter, non-prescription drugs that you take.

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Your pharmacist should

check the list o all the

medications on your patientprole to help you avoid

dangerous interactions.


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Call your doctor or medical proessional to dis-

cuss any concerns, and to help set up monitoring tests

that may be required while you use the drug.

Why is this the right medicine r mycnditin, age, and gender?


Suggest a lower dosage to start with.

Explain any new studies showing drugs that work more

eectively or people o your age, race, or gender.

Suggest a more proven, generic, or less expensive drug that could

treat your condition as eectively, and with ewer side eects.

Make sure that the prescribed drug and dosage will not inter-

ere with any other drug, ood, or vitamin you are taking.

Contact your doctor to discuss possible changes to your prescription.

When d I begin and stp taking this medicine?

Your pharmacist should:Give and explain detailed written instruc-

tions or when to take this drug.

Print out the label or the medication con-

tainer with instructions in large type.

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Hw d I take this medicine and whatshuld I avid and watch ut r?

Your pharmacist should:Explain the reasons behind the drug use and storage instructions.

Give you specic examples o possibly dangerous drug

reactions to reportand how to report them.

Explain the saest way to add another medicationprescrip-

tion or over-the-counterto what you already take.

Contact your doctor to see i you can take all your pre-

scription drugs at the same times each day.

Schedule a medication review session at the pharmacy.

In a medication review, you bring in all the medications youve been

taking. The pharmacist checks or duplicate medicines and possible

drug-drug interactions. The pharmacist can recommend needed

changes to your doctor.

The pharmacist may charge a small ee. But the review can result in

your taking ewer medications. That may benet your health and

your pocketbook.

Some pharmacists now specialize in evaluating and monitoring

patients drug treatment. They may have their own consulting

practice and charge an hourly ee. I you want to hire a pharmacist

like this, look or a Senior Care Pharmacist who is a member o the

American Society o Consultant Pharmacists.

Where can I get mre inrmatin abut thismedicine r abut btaining it at a lwer cst?


Tell you about special programs that help you pay or

your drugs, and how to qualiy and apply or them.

Contact your doctor to suggest a less expen-

sive drug that could be right or you.

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V. MAKE WISE CHoICES

AND LoWER THE CoSTSof YoUR MEDICATIoNSExploring your medication choices can save you

money while improving your health. Consider

these three simple actions to lower your costs:

1. Cnsider Generic Drugs

Ask your doctor about generics. They can help you save money withoutcompromising your health. Here are some important acts about using

generic drugs:

The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approves

generic drugs that meet the same quality and saety

standards as their brand-name counterparts.

Generic drugs requently cost less than brand-name

drugs. The price o generics is usually between one-th and one-hal the cost o brand-name drugs.

Generic drugs account or about 50% o all prescription medicines

obtained in the U.S.

A generic orm exists or

about hal o the drugs on

the market. I a generic

does not exist, that usu-ally means just one com-

pany has the patent to make the drug. When a drug patent expires,

other companies can seek FDA approval to make the same drug.

Generic drug manuacturers must demonstrate to the FDA that

their generic drug is the bioequivalent to its brand name coun-

terpart. They must have the same active ingredients, strength,

dosage orm, and method o administering. Sometimes

there are minor dierences such as favoring or color.

In every state, a law lets your pharmacist ll your pre-

scription with a generic drug, unless your doctor speci-

cally says that the brand-name drug is necessary.

To get the generic drug:

Ask your doctor to write your prescrip-

tion or a generic drug, i one is available.Unless your prescription has a check box marked,

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Ask your doctor about

generics. They can help

you save money without

compromising your health.


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Dispense as written, ask your pharmacist to ll

your prescription with a generic drug.

I your doctor prescribes a brand-name drug, ask your pharmacistto call the doctor to suggest an eective generic drug instead.

. Research Yur Drug ChicesThere is inormation based on research reviews o drugs that allow you

to manage your health and using prescription drugs. This evidence-

based approach is ast emerging as an important tool to assess the real

value o medicines, what they do and what they cost.

For example, evidence shows no signicant dierence among drugscommonly used to treat urinary incontinence. But a monthly supply o

drugs or this condition can cost anywhere rom $23 to $175. With this

evidence in hand, you can talk with your doctor or medical proessional

about which drug is best or you. You may benet rom a much less

expensive medication.

Consult one o these ree sources to compare drugs:

AARPs Drug Researchwww.aarp.rg/cmparedrugsAARPs guide summarizes what current medical research says about

eectiveness and saety o prescription drugs. Cost comparisons are

presented in at-a-glance tables.

Cnsumer Reprts Best Buy Drugshttp:/crbestbuydrugs.rg

For each condition, read the summary and recommendations page.

It tells you which drugConsumer Reportsrecommends as a best

buy, and why. You can link to a longer Consumer Reportsdocumentshowing details on the drugs saety, eectiveness, and costs. New

drug reports appear each month.

Just minutes o your time could save you money. Follow these three easy

steps or prescription drug research:

Read: Go to AARPs website: www.aarp.rg/cmparedrugs . Read

the consumer riendly research about the drug(s) you are currently

takingwrite down the possible alternatives within each drug class.

Cmpare: Talk with your pharmacist or go online to compare eec-

tiveness, saety, and price or the drugs on your list (be careul to use

the same dosage or each drug).

Cnsult: No one should rely on drug research results without taking

into consideration individual circumstances and medical history.

Thats why AARP recommends that you read the material pre-

sented on the site, compare prices, and consult with your doctor,

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pharmacist, or other medical provider beore adding or changing

medications.

. find Medicatin DiscuntsJust like shopping or ood or clothing, you can nd medications at dis-

counted prices. Here are some tips:

Cmpare prices r the drugs yu take.Consumer Reportsmagazine recently bought a months supply o the

same ve drugs rom 130 dierent merchants. The dierence between

the lowest and highest prices was more than $100. It may be cheaper to

buy dierent medications rom dierent places. I you do this, be surethat one pharmacy keeps a list o every drug that you take. This is the

best way to avoid dangerous interactions.

Cnsider a prescriptin discunt card.These cards are or anyone, not just those on Medicare. These cards

are also dierent than prescription cards or those with low incomes.

Typically, you buy the discount card or a ew dollars. Or the card may

be ree with membership in the group oering the card. With mostcards, you then pay about

$20 per month and it gets you

lower drug prices. But there are

no guarantees. You may nd

equally low prices on your own.

Cnsider lling prescriptins n yur pharmacys website.Many community pharmacies have their own mail-order service or

online pharmacy. Prices are oten lower on the website than at the store.

Cmpare drug prices at ther nline pharmacies.Legitimate Web-based pharmacies employ pharmacists who veriy your

prescription with your doctor. A licensed pharmacist promptly answers

your email questions. And you can use the pharmacys online tool or

checking drug interactions.

I yu use nline pharmacies, be surethey carry the VIPPS seal.This approval rom the National Association o Boards o Pharmacy

stands or Veried Internet Pharmacy Practice Site. It shows you that the

online pharmacy is legitimate. Getting a VIPPS seal is voluntary. Some

online pharmacies may not have applied or certication.

Just like shopping or ood or

clothing, you can nd medi-

cations at discounted prices.


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Cnsider the new Medicare prescriptin drug benet.You have probably seen a lot o news about the new Medicare prescrip-

tion drug benet. This benet will go into eect in two stages.

The drug benet is voluntary. You do not have to sign up. But there may

be a penalty i you sign up later. For more inormation about Medicare

Part D and the Medicare-approved drug discount cards, read The New

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: What You Need to Know. To order a

copy, call 1-888-OUR-AARP or visit www.aarp.rg/medicarerx.

Get prescriptin assistance.Did you know there are more than 300 programs to help low-income

people pay or their prescription drugs? AARP suggests two methods or

nding out i you qualiy or one o these programs.

Take the BenetsCheckUpRx at www.benetscheckuprx.rg.

This is a ast, ree, and condential online questionnaire. It is very

easy to use. You enter inormation about your prescriptions, income,

and assets. The Check Up shows you the prescription assistance

programs or which you may qualiy. You learn how to enroll or each

program.

The Benets Check Up can

give the most help to people

on Medicare without other

prescription drug coverage,

and who have low incomes.

The National Council on the Aging chairs the coalition o nearly

100 organizations, including AARP, which runs the Check Up. Eachmember helps keeps the Check Up current, and publicizes it to reach

as many low-income people as possible.

Lk r prescriptin assistance in yur wn state, r with a spe-

cic pharmaceutical cmpany.

Search AARPs state-by-state, plan-by-plan list o pharmacy assis-

tance programs at www.aarp.rg/bulletin/prescriptin/

statebystate.html. Heres what youll nd:

> Each states pharmacy assistance program and Medicaid health

program.

> Drug maker assistance programs rom the manuacturers o most

drugs commonly prescribed or older people. Many compa-

nies assist patients directly. Others work through your doctor or

medical proessional to provide medications.

> Discount drug cards and discount pharmacies.

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Did you know there are more

than 300 programs to help

low-income people pay or

their prescription drugs?


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> Prescription benets or military veterans, retirees, spouses, and

survivors.

> A list o nearly 9,000 clinics and hospitals that participate in a

special ederal program with lower prescription drug costs.

Use a mail-rder r nline pharmacy nly i:

You can easily nd the pharmacys toll-ree tele-phone number and street address.

The pharmacy requires you to mail in your prescription,

or requires your doctor or medical proessional to ax it.

You cannot obtain prescription drugs just

by lling out a questionnaire.

You can speak with or email a licensed pharmacist, at no

charge, when you have questions about your medications.

Hw t handle nline pharmacy prblems:

Report a problem with an online pharmacy to

the National Association o Boards o Pharmacy:

www.nabp.net/vipps/cnsumer/reprt.asp.

Complain to the FDA about a website that

may be selling prescription drugs illegally:

www.da.gv/c/buynline/buynlinerm.htm.

I you get an email rom an online pharmacy that

might be promoting suspicious products, orward the

email to the FDA at [email protected].

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VI. MANAGE YoUR MEDICINESWe already know were supposed to ollow our pre-

scription instructions. But lie does get complicated.

We tend to orget or skip the steps we know we should

take. And starting a new habit can be dicult.

But being a good medication manager is possibleor all o us. Use

these six tips and take charge o your medications: Remember, take,

monitor, avoid, notice, and store.

REMEMBER t take yur medicines.Use some memory tricks when you get a new medication:

Right away, repeat the instructions to yoursel ve timeseven

ten. Whisper them. Say them out loud. Read them. Sing them.

Make a mental picture o yoursel taking the medicine. Focus

on this picture all the way home rom your visit. Take one

minute when you get home to visualize your new habit. Do

nothing else. Just stand or sit and see this mental picture.

Think o something to connect with taking your medication.

Some people call this a peg or a hook to hang your new habit

on. It could be a rhyme (like My meds or me; take it times

three), an acronym (TIN-TIN, or Take It Now), or an image o a

steaming bowl o soup (i youll take your medicine with ood).

Research shows that we change our behavior in a cycle. The cycle goes

rom stage to stage: thinking about a new behavior we want to do, get-

ting ready, acting, and keeping it up.

I you stop anywhere along this cycle, dont worry! Go back to a previous

stage. Chances are youll be more successul each time.

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TAKE yur meds in exactly the wayyuve been instructed.

For your saety, ollow all medication instructions. Its likely that your

doctor or pharmacist has customized your prescription drugs dosage or

schedule just or you. To avoid choking or gagging when taking a large

pill, or one that disintegrates rapidly, be sure to take it with a ull glass o

water to wash it down thoroughly.

Is there an instruction you dont understand? Something that contradicts

what youve heard beore? I so, speak up. Take charge by getting answers

rom your doctor or medical proessional and pharmacist.

Also, you may have read reports about the need to modiy prescription

dosing or people o dierent ages or ethnic groups. In act, the physi-

ology o aging greatly aects how medicines work in our bodies. This

is worth talking about with your doctor or medical proessional. Make

any prescription dosage or schedule changes only with your doctor or

medical proessional, not on your own.

What i you do experience a possible side eect or drug interaction?

Call your doctor, medical proessional, or pharma-

cist. I the situation seems lie threatening, call 9-1-1.

When you call, have your drug container, or the

patient inormation leafet, nearby. The person on

the phone may ask you to reer to one o them.

Try to jot down what you are experiencing, and at what time.What are your symptoms? How do you eel? What time were

you experiencing these symptoms or eelings? When did you

last take the medicine that you think caused the problems?

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Some memory strategies use lists, calendars, pillboxes, or notes

to yoursel.

You may preer an event-based memory strategy. Its oten easier

to remember to take a medicine when its connected to a routine

or to something that happens every day, such as meals.


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MoNIToR hw yurdrugs are wrking.

How do you know i your medi-

cations are working? There are

ways that both you and your

doctor or medical proessional

can monitor how well your meds are working.

Sel-mnitring. Its important to pay attention to how you eel.

I you eel any dierently while taking your medication, note the

changes and write them down. Then remember to tell your doctor

or medical proessional and pharmacist. Also ask your doctor ormedical proessional when you should notice an improvement

in your health or condition rom taking the medication. Find

out when to report back to the doctor or medical proessional

to discuss whether or not you have noticed an improvement.

I you monitor how your drugs are working, you will be better

guarded rom uncomortable or unhealthy side eects.

Mnitring Tests. I you are taking medications such as a bloodthinner or one or a specic condition such as high blood pressure

or high cholesterol, there are specic tests to monitor how your

medications are working. You may need to take blood tests, or other

tests, at certain times to keep an eye on how your medication is

aecting your body. I so, be sure to keep each appointment. This

is one o the best ways to reduce or avoid dangerous side eects.

I you are seeing more than one doctor or medical proessional, be

sure to let each one know the result o each monitoring test that you

take. Its helpul or you to write down and remember the numbers

rom your test, such as your INR (International Normalized Ratio),

blood pressure or cholesterol numbers. That coordination will help

keep you sae.

AVoID dangerus interactins.The more medicines we take, the more we might experience drug-drug

interactions. Many older people take eight dierent prescription andover-the-counter medicines. That number could combine in about 250

ways! This is why it is so important to keep a personal medication record

and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.

Medications can also interact with what we eat or drink, or with our

activities. We may never notice many o these interactions. They might

not aect how we eel or unction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist i its

sae to drink alcohol when taking your medications. Ask about each drugyou take, whether prescription or non-prescription.

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I you monitor how your

drugs are working, you will

be better guarded romuncomortable or unhealthy

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5

Medicines and AlchlMany drugs, even over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements,

interact dangerously with alcohol. Even a small amount o beer, wine,

or liquor can change how a drug works in your body. Alcohol can get in

the way o your medicine doing what it is supposed to do. For instance,

alcohol can interere with heart drugs, making you dizzy or aint. Giving

your liver too much to process at once can also be unsae. For example,

i you take high doses o acetaminophen and have a ew drinks every

day, you could damage your liver.

Medicines and DrivingI you take a drug that makes you eel a little woozy, you should auto-

matically adjust or limit your driving to stay sae. Problems can result

when physiological changes o aging combine with drugs commonly

prescribed or older adults.

Those prescription drugs are the ones most likely to increase the risk

o driving problems and accidents. Dont ignore your bodys reactions

when youre on any medicines. I you eel drowsy, dizzy, nauseous, or

headachy, you should not try to drive. In act, you shouldnt drive until

you know what eects your new medicine has on your body.


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6

Here are some medication and driving tips:

For any new medication, see how you react to it

beore attempting to drive; each persons reac-tion to any medication is unique to that person.

Make sure you are ree o any harmul side eects

beore driving; plan other ways to get around.

Never have alcohol while on any medication without rst

consulting with your doctor or medical proessional.

Medicines and fd

Even what you eat can mess with your medicines work. Take steps toprevent drug-ood interactions:

Follow directions on how to take prescrip-

tion and over-the-counter pills.

Eat a consistent and nutritious diet with a variety o oods.

Read all warning labels on your medicines.

Medicines and HerbsHerbal products such as ginkgo biloba, St. Johns Wort, or kava can interactwith your prescription medication. Follow these guidelines or herbs:

Learn as much as you can about a product beore taking it.

Some herbal products can interact with other medicines you take.

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I you have a blood clotting disorder, diabetes, heart disease,

high blood pressure, Parkinsons disease, an enlarged pros-

tate gland, a psychiatric problem, an autoimmune disease

or other serious medical conditions, you should avoid taking

herbal products unless under the supervision o a physician.

Herbal products and other natural medicines should be

considered drugs that can cause side eects and may

interact with each other or with traditional medicines.

Because the Food and Drug Administration does not test

herbal products as they do traditional medicines, there is

no guarantee o the exact strength o the ingredients.

Look on the label or the words meets USP standards, a sign

that the product has been tested or quality and purity.

The label should list:

> An expiration date;

> A lot number, the amount o active ingredient per dose in milli-

grams (mg) or grams (gm);

> The orm (e.g., powder or extract);

> Clear directions or use; and

> Other ingredients in descending order o the amount contained

in the product.

The name, address, and phone number o the manuacturer or distrib-

utor should also be clearly stated on the label.

The container should have evidence o tamper proo protection.

Play it saeMaybe you got your new prescription a while ago. Now, you vaguely

recall hearing something about harmul interactions. Its never too late

to drop in at your pharmacy or to call your doctors oce. In act, asking

or a check-up o everything you take is the most eective action to help

avoid dangerous interactions. You may need to ask or this medicineinteraction check-up, but its your right to get one.

Your pharmacys computer program can do this medicine interaction

check quickly. However, its up to you to list every medicationprescrip-

tion drugs, non-prescription

drugs, and dietary and herbal

supplements. Use your Personal

Medication Record and keep it

updated at every pharmacy visit.

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Asking or a check-up o ev-

erything you take is the most

eective action to help avoiddangerous interactions.


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You can also begin an interaction search on your own. Read about cau-

tions or your drugs. Use an online interaction checker. Take the results

to your pharmacist or doctor or medical proessional.

All medicines (prescribed, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements)

are potentially dangerous or us. So its important to stay on the sae side

by ollowing these basic tips:

Never take medicines rom another person.

Dont mix medications unless indicated by your physician.

Take medication at the doses and times prescribed.

Never take medicines past their expiration dates.

NoTICE side eects.Many o us become more sensitive to certain medicines as we grow

older. Our bodies absorb and excrete drugs dierently than when we

were younger. So, some medicines have side eects.

We cant control our sensitivity

to drugsbut we can plan or it:Tell your doctor or medical

proessional how you nor-

mally react to drugs.

Discuss how someone your

age metabolizes drugs.

Ask i a lower-than-normal dose o a new

drug would be good to start with.Know the most common side eects to expect.

Notice how your body reacts, especially when you begin a new drug.

Understand which side eects to ignore, which to call your doctor or

medical proessional about, and which to seek immediate help or.

Plan to report back to your doctor or medical pro-

essional to see how your dosage is working.

For uncomortable but expected side eects, ask

your doctor or medical proessional about switching

drugs, or changing how you take the drug.

6. SToRE yur medicatins saely. Dispse saely t.How many times have you heard that you shouldnt keep medications

in your bathroom medicine cabinet? Probably thousands. Well, at least

hundreds. And where do you keep them?

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Understand which side e-

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Strage actually des matter. And the bathroom cabinet really is the

worst place to keep drugs. Heres why:

When a drug is manuactured, it keeps its potency, or strength, or only

a certain time. That time is dierent or each drug. Ater that time, thedrugs chemical composition starts to change and the drug weakens or

deteriorates. It can no longer have the intended health eect.

The change is slow, but certain. The drugs expiration date is the time when

its chemical composition will be too weak to help. Most o the chemical

changes in a drug are not dangerous in themselves. But some are. Thats

another reason why using a drug beore its expiration date is crucial. These

chemical changes can happen aster than your prescriptions expirationdatewhen the place where you store the drug is hot, moist, or sunny. That

sounds like a lot o bathroom medicine cabinets, right?

Even using the hot water in a sink can be harmul to drugs you keep in

the medicine cabinet. Our advice? Choose another place to store your

medications. A drawer in your bedroom will be cooler, drier, and darker

than your medicine cabinet.

Use these drug storage tips, too:

Check the drugs expiration dateold medi-

cines may no longer work how they should.

Keep your medicines separate rom amily members medi-

cines so you dont make the mistake o taking the wrong ones.

Store medicine near a countertop so you can open

the bottle on a fat surace. I you drop your pill, it

wont be lost down the drain or on the foor.

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You dont have to put up with uncomortable or inconvenient

side eects. They may be more than annoying. Side eects can

also show danger or show that your drug isnt working right.

Call your doctor or medical proessional when you notice any o

these. Ask i you need immediate help.

Headaches Blurry vision Ringing in the ears

Palpitations Coordination problems Dizziness

Skin rashes Swelling Diarrhea

Constipation Memory problems Indigestion


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0

Remove the cotton plug, which attracts mois-

ture, rom medicine bottles.

Rerigerate drugs only when the label tells you to.Keep oral and topical medications in separate places.

Keep all drugs away rom children.

Always order child-resistant caps i children will be in your house.

Never throw expired or unused medicines in a wastebasket.

This can be dangerous or both children and pets.

And most o all, think COOL, DRY, and DARK.

Drug DispsalKnowing when and how to dispose o your medication is as important as

storing it right. Dispose o your medication i the drug:

has passed the expiration date

looks discoloredcrumbles

cracks or leaks

changes color

smells

looks cloudy

has thickened

How you dispose o drugs is tricky business. Flushing them down the

toilet has always been popular, but this may cause environmental

damage. Throwing them in the trash is simple, but may be risky i there

are children or pets in your household. Some pharmacies send unused

or expired medications back to the original manuacturer. Other phar-

macies have medications burned. This may be the saest disposal

option, but also the hardest. So ollow-up with your pharmacist to see ihe/she has any new disposal ideas.

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1

VII. TIPS foR CAREGIVERS

When yure helping smene with medicines:Insist n a medicine review at least nce a year. Gather

every prescription drug, over-the-counter drug, and sup-

plement that the person takes. For each one, ask the

doctor and pharmacist, Is this still needed?

Ask abut prescriptin cascading. Sometimes, a doctor or med-

ical proessional adds a new medicine to treat the side eects o

another one. This is called cascading. Instead, ask i the doctor or

medical proessional can stop, adjust, or replace the rst drug.

To help someone prepare or their doctor visit:

Always arrange to go with them to the next visit. Get answers to these

questions beore you go:

What dierences have you noticed ater starting this drug?

When and how oten have you been taking it?

Whats the hardest thing about taking it?

I there were enough time, what would you say to your

doctor or medical proessional about this drug?

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At the pharmacy, help your loved one ll out a patient prole orm.

The pharmacist can give you this orm. On the next visit, make sure that

the orm is updated with any new prescription and over-the-counter

medicines.

fr each prescriptin, make sure yu knw the answer t:What is this medication and what is it supposed to do?

Is it sae to drive while on this drug?

What about drinking and eating?

Are there any side eects that I should watch or?

Des the persn yu are helping live in a Medicare-r Medicaid-apprved nursing hme?I so, there is a consulting pharmacist. Ask them to review all the medi-

cations that your parent or riend is taking. Check or duplications and

possible interactions.


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RESoURCES

AARPs Drug Cmparisn ResearchThis site summarizes what current medical research says aboutthe eectiveness and saety o prescription drugs. You can

make cost comparisons and learn about your options. Visit

www.aarp.rg/cmparedrugs .

Cmmissin r Certicatin in Geriatric PharmacyLocate a certied Geriatric Pharmacist by using the directory at

www.ccgp.rg or call 703-535-3038 to nd one near you.

Medicines and YuMedicines and You is AARPs new online course that will put you in

control o your health by showing you the choices you have or using

medications wisely and saving costs. The course is easy to ollow, and

you can go at your own pace. It includes resources such as lists o ques-

tions to ask your doctor and pharmacist and a personal medication

record to track your medicines. Visit www.aarp.rg/medicinesandyu.

Researching Yur Health n the WebConsumers want to take charge o their own health and be knowledge-

able about their health condition and best treatments. The Internet

oers quick access to medical inormation, but the amount o it can be

overwhelming, and how do they know i it is reliable? AARPs new online

seminar helps users explore our reputable and easy-to-use websites to

research their medical condition and medicines to treat it.

Visit www.aarp.rg/researchhealth.

Natinal Cuncil n Patient Inrmatin & Educatin (NCPIE)Visit www.talkabutrx.rg or call 301-656-8565 or great ideas on how to

use your medications saely and the questions to ask doctors or medical

proessionals and pharmacists.

Persnal Medicatin RecrdThe best way to track medications and help your doctor or and pharma-

cist is to create a personal medication record. This is a list o all the med-

icines, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements, that

you take. Call 1-888-OUR-AARP to order a personal medication record

orm, stock number D18358, or download at www.aarp.rg/usingmeds.

Senir Care PharmacistThese pharmacists specialize in the medication-related needs o older

adults. Find out more at www.senircarepharmacist.cm. I youre

thinking about hiring one, search a directory to nd a Senior Care

Pharmacist in your area.


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Medicines Made EasyTo order more copies:

Visit: www.aarp.org/usingmedsWrite: AARP

601 E Street, NW

Washington, DC 20049

Call: 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277)

1-877-434-7598 TTY

Stock #: D18366


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AARP is a nonprot, nonpartisan membership

organization that helps people 50+ have independence,

choice and control in ways that are benecial and

aordable to them and society as a whole. AARP

does not endorse candidates or public oce or

make contributions to either political campaigns or

candidates. We produceAARP The Magazine, published

bimonthly;AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper;

AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in

Spanish and English;NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly

newsletter or 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.

org. AARP Foundation is an aliated charity that

provides security, protection, and empowerment to

older persons in need with support rom thousands

o volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staed

oces in all 50 states, the District o Columbia, Puerto

Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.


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if You have aNY questioNs aBout

maNagiNg Your meDicatioNs, visit aarPs

WeBsite at www.p./nd

or call 1-888-our-aarP (1-888-687-2277).

Medicines Made Easy

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