MEDICATION DOS AND DON’TS

DO'S

1. Understand your medications and know their names.

2. Make a list of your medications and know what each drug is used for.

3. Always follow the prescribed directions.

4. Take only the recommended dosage and finish the entire prescription if instructed.

5. Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the prescriptions, OTC medicines, and dietary and herbal supplements that you are taking, before obtaining other medications.

6. Bring all medications to the hospital when coming for appointments and show them to your doctor and pharmacist.

7. Note that there may be foods or drinks to avoid while taking the medicine, or the medicine may have to be taken with food or a whole glass of water.

8. Ask questions.

9. Be sure to keep your prescription filled so you don’t run out i.e. do not wait till you take the last tablet before going for a refill.

10. Use a pillbox to remember when to take your medications.

11. Always take your medications with water.

12. Throw away medication if the expiration date has passed.

13. Gather all current medications and over- the-counter products into a bag and bring them to the doctor or pharmacist so he/she can look for potential problems.

    
    
    
    

DONT'S

1. Don’t stop or change a dosing regimen without first discussing it with your pharmacist or doctor.

2. Don’t use expired medications and always check expiration dates of all medications including over-the-counter meds.

3. Don’t stop taking medications because you are feeling better.

4. Don’t stop taking medication because you feel it is not working, rather discuss with your healthcare provider, e.g. when commencing antidiabetic drugs, do not expect blood sugar to crash overnight.

5. Don’t take a medicine that was prescribed for someone else e.g. your spouse.

6. Don’t take a medicine when it is not needed.

7. Don’t use medicine for another purpose, such as getting high.

8. Don’t break pills without first checking with your pharmacist.

9. Don’t get a prescription for the same medicine from two different doctors.

10. Don’t fill a prescription for the same medicine at two different pharmacies.

11. Don’t take a medicine at different times or more often than is instructed on the label.

12. Avoid alcohol when taking painkillers or sedatives