How to Manage Your Medication at Home

Many Americans take multiple medications, making managing them difficult. In fact, one in five people between the ages of 40-79 take five or more prescription drugs. Mismanaging these prescriptions can endanger your health.

Although keeping track of multiple prescriptions is difficult, you can take some simple steps to keep your medication schedule on track.

Consult Your Pharmacist

Use the expertise of your pharmacist to confirm your dosages and the times to take them. Your pharmacist can advise you on possible side effects of your medications and warn you about possible incompatibility of your prescriptions. They will also tell you what meds need to be taken with food and which should be taken on an empty stomach. Also, review your medication with the pharmacist every time you are given a new prescription to check for potential negative interactions.

Create a Schedule

You can easily overlook taking all of your medications if you do not have a schedule. You can create one on paper or on your computer. The schedule should note what to take and when. You can then initial the entries when you have taken your meds for the day. If your schedule is on paper, post it where you cannot overlook it. Have it open on startup if you use your computer. Use your phone to set an alarm to remind you when to take the medications. It's easy to overlook a dose or two without reminders.

Use a Pill Organizer

These simple items are quite effective and simplify taking your prescriptions. At the beginning of each week, you put your daily medications in squares marked by the days of the week. It doesn't take long to do, and it prevents you from wondering if you took that day's medication or not. If the square is empty, you did. The organizers are inexpensive and only require a time investment to use.

Notify All Medical Professionals of Your Medications 

Using multiple doctors and several pharmacies can be dangerous if they do not all have a complete list of your medications. Doctor A might prescribe a medication that interacts badly with your other medications, putting your health at risk. The same goes for pharmacists. Take the time to review your complete prescription list with each medical professional who you see. Doing so will prevent serious mistakes.

Check Your Pill Bottles Regularly

Like many people, you may keep old medication bottles around. To avoid problems, you need to safely dispose of old prescriptions. You shouldn't take them, and you definitely shouldn't give them to someone else.

You may also overlook how many refills you have left on your prescriptions. If you run out, it may take several days to get a new prescription from your doctor. You may suffer ill effects if you have to skip some of your medications even for a short time. Regularly checking your prescription bottles will help keep you on the right schedule.

Store Your Medication Properly

Store your medicines in a dry, cool place, as the labels say. if you still pop your prescription in the bathroom "medicine cabinet," they may lose their effectiveness. Put your bottles in a place that is not damp and does not become hot, even in the summer. And always put them where children cannot reach. That means up high and in childproof bottles.

Think Before You Drink 

Many prescriptions do not mix well with alcohol. Check with your pharmacist if drinking while taking your medications is okay. Combining the two can lead to bad side effects, including extreme drowsiness. This warning is also true for over-the-counter medications.

Only Take Your Own Prescriptions

Some people will take the leftover medications of others, particularly family members. You may think taking others' antibiotics is okay since you've had the prescription before. This behavior has several dangers. Most prescriptions do not work if you do not take a full dose. Also, your prescription list may have changed, and your current medications may not interact well with these "borrowed" pills. Only take medications prescribed just for you. Otherwise, you are taking chances with your health.

Take Medications In the Light 

Like others, you may remember your pills after you've gotten into bed and reach for them in the dark. No matter how many times you've taken your medication, you can become confused and take the wrong one. You should take your medicine when you are wide awake and in full lighting. These are simple rules that can prevent a medical emergency.

Medication Management

You need to manage your medications carefully, especially if you have multiple prescriptions. All of your doctors and pharmacists need to have a complete list of medications you are taking. You have to keep close track of when and how much to take. Proper storage and other factors are also important. It's easy to become careless over time, but you cannot afford a lapse when it comes to your prescriptions.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Peak Mental Healthcare