Manage Your Prescriptions Better with These 3 Suggestions
If you are like a lot of people, as you get older you may find yourself taking more and more medications on a daily basis. It can be confusing to keep track of all the medications you have to take, and to be sure you're taking them as directed. Here are some tips you can use to manage your prescriptions and ensure you're taking them safely.
Stick with One or Two Pharmacies
You may be a conscientious shopper, and might have found that different medications are priced differently at a number of pharmacies. However, it is best to stick with one or two pharmacies for all your medications. Why?
As your list of medications grow, you need to be on the look out for an interactions between them that can cause you to experience unfavorable side effects. If you are getting all of your medications from the same pharmacy, the pharmacist may notice potential problems and alert you before you have a problem.
Talk with Your Pharmacist before You Take a New Medication
Your doctor may prescribe a new medication for a particular health condition, and you need to have some information about it before you start taking it. While basic information is printed on the prescription label, it is a good idea to talk with your pharmacist briefly to make sure you take the medication in a way that it is most effective.
For instance, if your doctor has prescribed iron supplements, the label may simply tell you how often you should take it. Your pharmacist can tell you that it's a good idea to have iron supplements with some orange juice, so that it is better absorbed in your body.
Avoid Crushing Pills
If a pill is too big for you to swallow comfortably, you might feel compelled to crush it and take it that way. However, some medications are not made to be crushed, and crushing them can interfere with the way they work in your body. If you find that you are unable to swallow a particular pill, talk to your doctor. You may be able to get a different medication, or you might need to pick up that medication from a compounding pharmacy.
Now that you have some ideas about how to manage and take your medications in a safe manner, you can be more confident about the medication you're taking. Be sure to check in with your doctor on a regular basis so they can monitor your progress. To get your medication, find a pharmacist like Pratt's Compounding Pharmacy.
Share