Learning About Staying Safe With Multiple Medicines
It's important to know all about the medicines you take. This can help you avoid problems. If you take more than one medicine that works the same way, you could get too high a dose. Or two or more medicines may not work well together. Your doctor can answer any questions you may have.
Make a list of all the medicines you take. Include natural health products and over-the-counter medicines like cold or allergy medicines and aspirin. Show the list to all your doctors at all your appointments.
Keep your medicines organized. A pillbox may help. Follow directions for how much medicine to take and when to take it. Know if you should take it with food. Also know what side effects to watch for.
How can you stay safe with multiple medicines?
Talk with your doctor before you take a new medicine. This includes over-the-counter medicines and natural health products.
Tell your doctor about any medicine side effects. The doctor may be able to adjust your medicines.
Find out if your medicines aren't safe to take with other ones. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to run your medicine list through a drug interaction checker.
Know the names of your medicines. Be sure you know what health problem you're using each one for.
Try to use one pharmacy. The pharmacist will know what you are taking. They'll watch for problems.
Talk to your doctor before you stop or change the dose. Suddenly stopping some medicines may cause problems.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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Current as of: December 18, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
