Are you taking medication right now? Are you sure you’re taking it the right way? Studies show that 55% of prescription drugs are not taken correctly for a number of reasons, and the consequences can be dangerous. Knowing more about your own prescriptions, or those that a loved one is taking, can keep dangerous medication mistakes to a minimum and allow you to receive the maximum benefits of the medication. The following are some tips to help manage medications more effectively.

Be in the Know Right from the Start. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist questions about your prescription. Be sure to know the following:

  • The name of the drug
  • What the drug is prescribed for
  • How, when and how long to take the drug
  • Correct dosage
  • Possible side effects and drug interactions

Also, make sure to have your loved one’s doctor periodically conduct a medication review to assess which drugs are still needed and determine which ones could be eliminated.

Keep a Master List of Meds. Having a complete list of all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements that your loved one takes can be a big help at the doctor’s office. This list should contain all of the information from the list above, as well as:

  • The color and shape of the drug (or a photo of the drug if possible)
  • The prescribing physician’s name and contact information
  • Date the medication was started, and whether or not it should be refilled and taken ongoing
  • Date the list was last updated

The home care experts at Live Free Home Health Care can help seniors manage prescriptions, set up medication reminders, and communicate with physicians and pharmacists to ensure medications are being taken properly. Contact Live Free Home Health Care today at 603-217-0149 to learn more about proper medication management.