Getting the Best Results from Your Medications

1. Getting the Best Results from Your Medications (Title slide � insert presenter names and date, if desired) We are here, today, to discuss how you can get the best results from your medications and avoid medication-related problems or �adverse drug events.� This program was developed by the Generation Rx Initiative at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, with the support of the Cardinal Health Foundation. (Title slide � insert presenter names and date, if desired) We are here, today, to discuss how you can get the best results from your medications and avoid medication-related problems or �adverse drug events.� This program was developed by the Generation Rx Initiative at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, with the support of the Cardinal Health Foundation.

2. The prescribing of medications is the most common type of medical treatment in the United States, and pharmacists dispense approximately four billion prescriptions each year. These medications are helping us live longer and healthier lives, but they can also produce harmful effects. In fact, millions of people seek medical care for adverse drug events every year (Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 2010).Unfortunately, it has been reported that fatal medication errors for people being treated outside of a clinical setting (i.e. at home) increased over 500% between 1983 and 2004 (Arch Intern Med 2008). So, how can you get the best results from your medications and avoid harmful effects? There are a few simple things you can do to stay on the road to good health.The prescribing of medications is the most common type of medical treatment in the United States, and pharmacists dispense approximately four billion prescriptions each year. These medications are helping us live longer and healthier lives, but they can also produce harmful effects. In fact, millions of people seek medical care for adverse drug events every year (Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 2010).Unfortunately, it has been reported that fatal medication errors for people being treated outside of a clinical setting (i.e. at home) increased over 500% between 1983 and 2004 (Arch Intern Med 2008). So, how can you get the best results from your medications and avoid harmful effects? There are a few simple things you can do to stay on the road to good health.

3. (Follow Directions Carefully) First, it is important to follow the directions provided with your prescription medications. Only make changes in your own medication therapy in consultation with your healthcare providers. Even stopping your therapy on your own can be harmful. For example, stopping antibiotic therapy too soon could result in a more severe infection, and the dosage of some drugs must be slowly decreased before stopping them all together. Sticking with your medication regimen can be hard when you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, but not doing so can cause harm. For example, diabetes that is not properly treated can result in heart or blood vessel disease, blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and other problems. It is estimated that we spend $300 billion each year in our healthcare system simply because patients don�t take their medications as directed. Don�t stop taking a medication without talking to your doctor or pharmacist, even if it doesn�t seem to be working. Ask questions � sometimes medication therapy takes a while or the effects may not be noticeable. It is also important to take your medications regularly. If you have trouble remembering, there are some simple things you can do. For example, some people use a calendar to keep track of the doses they have taken. Pill boxes which contain your medications for each day are also helpful, and there are more sophisticated tools available including special medication alarms or electronic reminders. Websites like www.epill.com or www.forgettingthepill.com provide a variety of tools like these to help you remember to take your medications as directed. First, it is important to follow the directions provided with your prescription medications. Only make changes in your own medication therapy in consultation with your healthcare providers. Even stopping your therapy on your own can be harmful. For example, stopping antibiotic therapy too soon could result in a more severe infection, and the dosage of some drugs must be slowly decreased before stopping them all together. Sticking with your medication regimen can be hard when you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, but not doing so can cause harm. For example, diabetes that is not properly treated can result in heart or blood vessel disease, blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and other problems. It is estimated that we spend $300 billion each year in our healthcare system simply because patients don�t take their medications as directed. Don�t stop taking a medication without talking to your doctor or pharmacist, even if it doesn�t seem to be working. Ask questions � sometimes medication therapy takes a while or the effects may not be noticeable. It is also important to take your medications regularly. If you have trouble remembering, there are some simple things you can do. For example, some people use a calendar to keep track of the doses they have taken. Pill boxes which contain your medications for each day are also helpful, and there are more sophisticated tools available including special medication alarms or electronic reminders. Websites like www.epill.com or www.forgettingthepill.com provide a variety of tools like these to help you remember to take your medications as directed.

4. A road sign to guide you The label on your prescription provides a lot of useful information. In addition to the name of the medication and directions on how to take it, you will also find other useful information like the number of tablets or capsules dispensed, the name of the prescriber, the date of dispensing as well as the date written, available refills, and other helpful information about the medication such as caution statements like �Take with Food� or �Avoid Alcohol.� If given a prescription with the label shown on this slide, when would you take it? (Allow audience responses) In this case, the best time to take the medication is not necessarily 12 hours apart (twice daily), but with the morning and evening meals. Your pharmacist can always provide advice about how and when to take your medications. The label on your prescription provides a lot of useful information. In addition to the name of the medication and directions on how to take it, you will also find other useful information like the number of tablets or capsules dispensed, the name of the prescriber, the date of dispensing as well as the date written, available refills, and other helpful information about the medication such as caution statements like �Take with Food� or �Avoid Alcohol.� If given a prescription with the label shown on this slide, when would you take it? (Allow audience responses) In this case, the best time to take the medication is not necessarily 12 hours apart (twice daily), but with the morning and evening meals. Your pharmacist can always provide advice about how and when to take your medications.

5. Don�t let non-prescription products detour your journey Anything that you ingest while taking medications has the potential to affect your therapy. This could include various types of foods or drinks, other prescription or nonprescription medications, herbal products, or dietary supplements. For example, patients who are taking a drug called Coumadin to keep their blood from clotting as easily must be careful, because a number of things could interfere with your therapy. For example, patients taking Coumadin must be careful not to take products containing aspirin at the same time. Even low doses of aspirin along with Coumadin could increase your chance for bleeding side effects. So, unless your doctor advises you to do so, avoid aspirin when taking this drug. St. John�s Wart, an herbal supplement often taken for depression, may also increase the risk for bleeding for a patient taking Coumadin. Herbal products like St. John�s Wart may provide benefits, but they are not regulated by the FDA, so it is extremely important to be well informed before deciding to try an herbal product. A wonderful free resource for unbiased information is from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the National Institutes of Health (see: www.nccam.nih.gov). The best advice is to always consult your doctor or pharmacist about using nonprescription medications along with your prescribed medications. Anything that you ingest while taking medications has the potential to affect your therapy. This could include various types of foods or drinks, other prescription or nonprescription medications, herbal products, or dietary supplements. For example, patients who are taking a drug called Coumadin to keep their blood from clotting as easily must be careful, because a number of things could interfere with your therapy. For example, patients taking Coumadin must be careful not to take products containing aspirin at the same time. Even low doses of aspirin along with Coumadin could increase your chance for bleeding side effects. So, unless your doctor advises you to do so, avoid aspirin when taking this drug. St. John�s Wart, an herbal supplement often taken for depression, may also increase the risk for bleeding for a patient taking Coumadin. Herbal products like St. John�s Wart may provide benefits, but they are not regulated by the FDA, so it is extremely important to be well informed before deciding to try an herbal product. A wonderful free resource for unbiased information is from The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the National Institutes of Health (see: www.nccam.nih.gov). The best advice is to always consult your doctor or pharmacist about using nonprescription medications along with your prescribed medications.

6. Just like a GPS helps you reach your destination, an updated medication list is an important tool to help guide you to safe medication use and keep you on the road to good health. Always keep a complete record of your prescription and nonprescription medications and carry it with you. The medication record should include: The brand and generic name of your medications Strength and dosing directions (be specific about the time of day you are taking the medication) Brief descriptions of the specific use of each medication The name of the prescriber Any special instructions (e.g., �Take with food�) Your healthcare professionals must know all the medications you are taking to help you maintain good health. This is the best way to avoid potentially harmful interactions between your medications and other prescription or nonprescription drugs or herbal products. So, be sure to share your medication record with your doctor and pharmacist. It is also always smart to have all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. When the pharmacist is not aware of your complete medication record, he or she cannot properly guide you on your road to good health.Just like a GPS helps you reach your destination, an updated medication list is an important tool to help guide you to safe medication use and keep you on the road to good health. Always keep a complete record of your prescription and nonprescription medications and carry it with you. The medication record should include: The brand and generic name of your medications Strength and dosing directions (be specific about the time of day you are taking the medication) Brief descriptions of the specific use of each medication The name of the prescriber Any special instructions (e.g., �Take with food�) Your healthcare professionals must know all the medications you are taking to help you maintain good health. This is the best way to avoid potentially harmful interactions between your medications and other prescription or nonprescription drugs or herbal products. So, be sure to share your medication record with your doctor and pharmacist. It is also always smart to have all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. When the pharmacist is not aware of your complete medication record, he or she cannot properly guide you on your road to good health.

7. Being an informed consumer is the best way to get the most out of any purchase, and medications are no different. In fact, learning about your medications is critical for staying on the road to good health. Your health professionals study many years and continually work to stay current on how your medicines can give you the best results. So consult with them and read any written materials they may give you. Don�t be afraid to ask questions -- here are some suggestions for the kinds of questions you may wish to ask: What is the best time of day to take the medication? Is it safe to crush or split the medication? Should I take it with or without food? What side effects most commonly occur? What should I do if I forget to take a dose? Pharmacists are trained to provide �medication therapy management,� and your insurance plan may even pay for a visit with a pharmacist for a comprehensive review of your medications, as well as assistance in trouble-shooting any problems that you may be having with your medication therapy. For example, Medicare Part D, which helps cover your medications, can provide reimbursement for these kinds of services in certain instances. In any case, take the initiative to learn about your medications, ask questions of your doctor and pharmacist, and become an expert about your medicines!Being an informed consumer is the best way to get the most out of any purchase, and medications are no different. In fact, learning about your medications is critical for staying on the road to good health. Your health professionals study many years and continually work to stay current on how your medicines can give you the best results. So consult with them and read any written materials they may give you. Don�t be afraid to ask questions -- here are some suggestions for the kinds of questions you may wish to ask: What is the best time of day to take the medication? Is it safe to crush or split the medication? Should I take it with or without food? What side effects most commonly occur? What should I do if I forget to take a dose? Pharmacists are trained to provide �medication therapy management,� and your insurance plan may even pay for a visit with a pharmacist for a comprehensive review of your medications, as well as assistance in trouble-shooting any problems that you may be having with your medication therapy. For example, Medicare Part D, which helps cover your medications, can provide reimbursement for these kinds of services in certain instances. In any case, take the initiative to learn about your medications, ask questions of your doctor and pharmacist, and become an expert about your medicines!

8. When used properly, medications can help us live longer and healthier lives. They can prevent diseases and alleviate symptoms, and diseases that were once fatal are becoming chronic conditions because of these life-saving drugs. But any medication can also produce harmful effects, so it is important to remember this when we are having difficulties. If you are having a new symptom or complaint, it is always a good idea to consider if it could be due to any of your medications. When you are having problems, use your detective skills. Ask yourself, �Did I start feeling this way soon after doing something different?� such as: starting a new prescription or non-prescription medication a change in my medication dose a change in the way I am taking my medication drinking an alcoholic beverage a change in my diet (e.g., grapefruit can affect some medications)? If you think you are having a side effect from a medication, here are some actions to take: If it is a severe side effect such as trouble breathing or bleeding, call 911 Otherwise, contact your doctor or pharmacist to describe your new symptoms and ask if this is a usual side effect of your medications. Ask if there are steps you can or should take to make you feel better.When used properly, medications can help us live longer and healthier lives. They can prevent diseases and alleviate symptoms, and diseases that were once fatal are becoming chronic conditions because of these life-saving drugs. But any medication can also produce harmful effects, so it is important to remember this when we are having difficulties. If you are having a new symptom or complaint, it is always a good idea to consider if it could be due to any of your medications. When you are having problems, use your detective skills. Ask yourself, �Did I start feeling this way soon after doing something different?� such as: starting a new prescription or non-prescription medication a change in my medication dose a change in the way I am taking my medication drinking an alcoholic beverage a change in my diet (e.g., grapefruit can affect some medications)? If you think you are having a side effect from a medication, here are some actions to take: If it is a severe side effect such as trouble breathing or bleeding, call 911 Otherwise, contact your doctor or pharmacist to describe your new symptoms and ask if this is a usual side effect of your medications. Ask if there are steps you can or should take to make you feel better.

9. Medications can be very expensive, especially if we do not have health insurance which covers prescription drugs. What options do we have if we find yourselves in a financial situation where you can�t afford your medications? Here are a few suggestions: Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are other drugs which may be used that are less expensive. If your prescription is for a brand-name drug, ask if a generic product is available � these usually cost less. Most manufacturers have programs for supplying needed medications to those who can�t afford them � ask your pharmacist to help. Special clinics may be available in your area if you can�t afford the care you need. Your state, county or city health department may also have programs to help with medication costs. Here are some on-line resources which may also be helpful: www.rxassist.org www.needymeds.org www.benefitscheckup.orgMedications can be very expensive, especially if we do not have health insurance which covers prescription drugs. What options do we have if we find yourselves in a financial situation where you can�t afford your medications? Here are a few suggestions: Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are other drugs which may be used that are less expensive. If your prescription is for a brand-name drug, ask if a generic product is available � these usually cost less. Most manufacturers have programs for supplying needed medications to those who can�t afford them � ask your pharmacist to help. Special clinics may be available in your area if you can�t afford the care you need. Your state, county or city health department may also have programs to help with medication costs. Here are some on-line resources which may also be helpful: www.rxassist.org www.needymeds.org www.benefitscheckup.org

10. To get the best results, it is important to learn about your medications, follow the directions provided by your doctor or pharmacist, and ask questions when something doesn�t seem right. When it comes to your health, there are no dumb questions -- what you don�t know could hurt you! Communication with your healthcare professionals, including your pharmacist, is essential. Share the complete list of your current medications with everyone involved in your care. Give your doctor and pharmacist all the information she or he needs to help you best. What they don�t know could hurt you, too!To get the best results, it is important to learn about your medications, follow the directions provided by your doctor or pharmacist, and ask questions when something doesn�t seem right. When it comes to your health, there are no dumb questions -- what you don�t know could hurt you! Communication with your healthcare professionals, including your pharmacist, is essential. Share the complete list of your current medications with everyone involved in your care. Give your doctor and pharmacist all the information she or he needs to help you best. What they don�t know could hurt you, too!

11. Take the wheel You are the most important member of your healthcare team. Take the time to become an expert about your medications. Ask questions, get the information you need to get the best results from your medications, and stay on the road to good health!You are the most important member of your healthcare team. Take the time to become an expert about your medications. Ask questions, get the information you need to get the best results from your medications, and stay on the road to good health!