TENNESSEE PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION

1. How to Get the Most From Your Medicine TENNESSEE PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION 226 Capitol Blvd. Suite 810 Nashville, Tennessee 37219 615/256.3023 fax 615/255.3528 tpa@tnpharm.org www.tnpharm.org Roger L. Davis, Pharm.D Associate Executive Director rld@tnpharm.org

2. What Do I Need To Know?

3. Medicines can help you feel better. But if medicines are taken the wrong way, they can actually make you feel worse. To use both prescription medicines and medicines you can buy over the counter (without a prescription from your doctor) correctly, follow these guidelines………………

4. What questions should I ask about my medicines? If there is something you don't understand about a medicine you're taking, ask. If you still don't understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain things more clearly. If you are taking other medicines, be sure to ask how the medicines will work together in your body. Sometimes medicines cause problems when they are taken together (called a drug interaction).

5. Below is a list of questions you can ask your doctor or pharmacist to help you learn how to use your medicine correctly and safely: What does the medicine do?     When and how should I take the medicine?     What side effects (reactions your body may have to the medicine) could I have?     Will my medicine react to any other medicines, foods or drinks?    Should I avoid any activities while I'm taking this medicine?      What should I do if I forget to take my medicine?     How will I know if the medicine is working?

6. MEDICINE DO’s & DO NOT’s: • Do read the label carefully. • Do take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. • Do make sure that each of your doctors (if you see more than one) has a list of all of the medicines you're taking. • Do ask your doctor to help you make a schedule (if you are taking more than one medicine) so you know what medicines to take at what times of the day. • Do consider using one pharmacy for all your prescriptions. The pharmacist can help you keep track of what you're taking.

7. MEDICINE DO’s & DO NOT’s: • Do make sure your family or roommate knows what medicine you're taking and when you're supposed to take it. • Don't combine prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines unless your doctor says it's OK. • Don't stop taking a medicine or change how much or how often you take it without first talking to your doctor. • Don't take someone else's medicine. • Don't use medicine after its expiration date.

8. How can I remind myself to take my medicine? Try to take your medicine at the same time (or times) every day, such as when you wake up or with meals. Keep the medicine bottle(s) in a place you see often, such as on the kitchen counter. (Make sure that medicines are in childproof containers and kept out of the reach of children.)

9. What if I don't feel better even though I'm taking my medicine? Any medicine needs time to work. When you are given a prescription, ask your doctor how long it should take for the medicine to make you feel better. It might take time to find the best medicine for you and the best amount of it. Call your doctor if you have concerns about what you're taking or if you don't feel better after taking your medicine as prescribed. If you're trying to treat yourself with an over-the-counter medicine and it doesn't seem to be working, call your doctor. Waiting too long to get treated by your doctor could make you a lot sicker.

10. Things to know about each medicine you take …. • Name (generic name and brand name) • Reason for taking it • How much to take and how often to take it • Possible side effects and what to do if you have them • How long to take it • Special instructions (taking it at bedtime or with meals, etc.)

11. Should I avoid any foods, drinks or activities while I'm taking medicine?

12. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about things to avoid while you are taking a prescription medicine. Some foods can cause side effects, such as stomach upset, if you are taking medicine. Drinking alcohol is generally not a good idea while you are taking medicine. Some medicines cause reactions such as sun sensitivity (getting a sunburn or sun rash), so you may have to limit your outdoor activities or take precautions to protect your skin from the sun.

13. If you are taking an over-the-counter medicine, read the label to see what to avoid while you are taking it. Follow the instructions just as you would with a prescription medicine. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist

14. Tips for choosing over-the-counter medicines If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Although it can seem overwhelming, take the time to look at all the choices. Read the label carefully and note what symptoms the medicine will treat. Look for a medicine that will treat only the symptoms you have. For example, if you only have a runny nose, don't pick a medicine that also treats coughs and headaches. Note how much medicine you should take, and what side effects it may cause Note what medicines or foods you should not take with the medicine. Check to see if the medicine causes problems for people with certain health problems (such as asthma or hypertension).

15. What's the difference between generic and brand name medicines? Just like foods, some medicines come in both brand names and generics. Generic medicines are generally cheaper. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if a generic form of your prescription medicine will work for you. Over-the-counter medicines also come in generics. Compare the list of ingredients. If the generic has the same ingredients as the brand name, you may want to consider using it. But be careful: One medicine may contain different amounts of certain medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about which medicine to choose.

16. When storing your medicines... Be sure to: • keep them out of children's reach. • keep liquid medicines from freezing. • keep them in their original containers. • store them away from heat and direct light.

17. When storing your medicines... Be sure not to: • store capsules or tablets in the bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down, that is, change its chemical makeup and lose its ability to work properly. • leave the cotton plug in a medicine container that has been opened; the cotton may draw moisture into the container. • store medicines in the refrigerator unless directed to do so. • leave your medicines in an automobile for long periods of time. Heat and sunlight can damage the medicine or change its properties. • keep outdated medicine that is no longer needed. Be sure any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

18. What special precautions should you take when using medicines? Never give your medicine to anyone else. It has been prescribed for your personal medical problem and may not be the right treatment may be harmful for someone else. Do not take medicines that don't seem quite right (for example, cloudy liquids that usually are clear). If you have any questions, talk to your pharmacist.

19. What special precautions should you take when using medicines? Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the physician, nurse, or dentist about any medicine you are taking. If you think you have taken an overdose of any medicine or if a child has taken a medicine by accident, call your poison control center or your health care professional at once. Keep emergency telephone numbers handy, and keep a bottle of Ipecac Syrup safely stored in your home in case you are told to cause vomiting. Read the label on the Ipecac bottle before using.

20. Did You Know? Source: IMS HEALTH, Hoover’s Company Information, PhRMA, Retail Census, U.S. Bureau of the Census;average prescription price $43.07, 3rd quarter 1999.

21. Or Stated Another Way……….

22. Ask Your Pharmacist Your pharmacist will be able to answer these medication questions as well as any others you may have. Pharmacists are trained as medication experts so they can help you get better faster and keep you out of the hospital.

23. Choose your pharmacist as carefully as you choose your doctor because he or she is an important part of your health care team. It is not uncommon to see more than one doctor; and for this reason, it is very important to use just one pharmacy so your medication records will be located in one place. Your pharmacist can help you keep track of what you are taking-- prescription and nonprescription-- and make sure that your medications will not interact harmfully with each other. Ask Your Pharmacist

24. Ask Your Pharmacist Your pharmacist also can serve as your medication advisor when treating yourself and your family with nonprescription ("over-the-counter") medications. Even though these medicines do not require a doctor's written prescription, they are still very powerful and may affect other medications

25. Now that you are familiar with what you should know about your medications, ask your pharmacist for the answers and remember to… Be Informed…. Stay Healthy…. And Talk With Your Pharmacist.

26. Pharmacists can educate you about your medicines -- Prescription and nonprescription. And the more you know , the better you’ll feel.