Medication Smart Seniors

Article submitted by Catherine Dunlap, RN, MA, Visiting Nurse Association. For further information she can be reached at 719-577-4448.

Most seniors’ medicine cabinets house an assortment of prescriptions commonly used for the symptoms of aging. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and arthritis medications are frequently prescribed and carefully managed by doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to avoid negative interactions. However, vitamins and dietary supplements aren’t always being assessed for the patient’s health risks.

Know Your Meds

Combining prescriptions with over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements can cause harmful interactions. While most vitamins and supplements are good for you, some can interfere with prescribed medications. For example, some antibiotics are not absorbed and are rendered ineffective if taken with a mineral supplement. Be sure your doctor and pharmacist are aware of all vitamins and supplements you are taking.

Manage Your Medications and Prevent Medication Mistakes

Make a list: List all medications you are taking, including multivitamins and other supplements, along with the reason you’re taking them and possible side effects of each. Carry the list with you, for emergencies and to share with physicians, specialists, and pharmacists.
Understand side effects: Know what reactions are normal. For a severe reaction, call your doctor and immediately stop taking the medication.

At the Pharmacy:

Use the same pharmacy: Your regular pharmacist can identify potential errors/interactions with new prescriptions and refills.
Consult your pharmacist: Tell your pharmacist everything you are taking. Review your list with them.
Double check prescriptions: Make sure the prescription is correct, double check the dosage, compare old pills to new ones, etc.
Request partial prescriptions: Many insurance companies allow for a partial prescription, so you can test new medications for side effects.
Plan ahead for refills: Get refills several days in advance, so you aren’t rushed.

At Home:

Use a planner: AARP offers a free planner to help manage your medication schedule. Using a plastic pill case is also helpful.
Don’t cut pills: Never cut your medication, unless the pills are scored and you use a pill cutter. If your prescription needs to be cut, ask your pharmacist to do it.
Throw away old medications: Don’t keep expired medications. They can cause confusion and are not safe. Don’t flush old prescriptions down the toilet. Put the pills in an old plastic bottle, add a little water, and throw it away.

An expanding medicine cabinet can be a fact of life, but you can manage it!