Every year, more than a million people are injured or killed by medication errors. In fact, medication mistakes are the 6th leading cause of death. To help address this issue, the Women’s Heart Foundation launched Medication Safety Week to offer strategies to reduce these risks.
Topping the list of strategies are these seven tips:
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- Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet
Discard outdated medicines and old prescriptions. Many drugs lose their potency over time. Store medicines in their original containers and in a cool, dry place. Locate medicines away from children and pets and from those who do not understand. - Know Your Medicines and Keep a Record
Know both the generic and brand names of your medicines and what the pills look like. Keep a written record of all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, and supplements you are taking. Write down both the generic and brand names of medicines as this may prevent inadvertently double-dosing. Next to the drug name, write down the drug’s purpose and why you are taking it. Keep the list updated and have it with you at all times. This free Medication Record (pdf format) is available by double-clicking on these links: Medication Record (English version) or Medication Record (Spanish version). - Read Medicine Labels Carefully
To be sure you are taking what your doctor ordered, the way he ordered it, read the drug label, stickers, warnings, and literature carefully. If you don’t understand something, speak with your pharmacist or physician. Specifically, note:- The drug delivery route (i.e. oral, topical, suppository), dose and frequency of your medicines.
- Possible interactions with foods or whether medicine should be taken with food or on and empty stomach.
- Storage instructions such as keeping the medication in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator, or out of direct sunlight.
- Whether drug must be taken at the same time every day to be effective.
- Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet
Keeping medicines in their original containers will help ensure that medicines are taken correctly.
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- Discuss Dietary Supplements with Your Doctor
If you are taking prescription medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking dietary supplements. Some vitamins, minerals or herbal supplements may react with, enhance, or block the effectiveness of medicines. - Organize Your Medicines
Keep your medications together (if storage requirements permit) and in the same location to help establish a routine and remind you to take them at the appropriate times. A medicine organizer box may be helpful, especially for those taking more than one pill several times a day, however, a medicine organizer box requires close monitoring, especially when there is a change in medicines. Also, be aware that use of an organizer box violates the rule of keeping medicines in their original containers. Managing pills with a medicine organizer box, while convenient, is not without risk. - Transitional Care / Changing Medications
A change in medical regimen can be confusing and can place you at increased risk. Make sure you understand medication changes before leaving the hospital or doctor’s office and ask for written instructions. Also, double-check your medicines when picking up a new or refilled prescription.
- Discuss Dietary Supplements with Your Doctor
If in a hospital or nursing home, make sure the nurse checks your I.D. bracelet before giving you your pills. If a pill doesn’t look familiar, ask why. Upon discharge, make sure you receive written instructions that include both the generic and brand names of each drug you are to take.
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- Communicating With Health Professionals
Share information about the medicines and supplements you are taking with all your healthcare practitioners and pharmacist. When a new medication is prescribed, speak with your doctor and/or pharmacist about the risks and benefits as well as possible side effects. Ask if there are any serious side-effects that your doctor needs to know about right away. Report adverse drug effects promptly and never hesitate to ask questions when it comes your health and the use of medicines.
- Communicating With Health Professionals
For more tips, read the Healthy Hearts Guide Taking Medications Safely.
To discover how to get the most out of your supplements, see our newsletter Know Your Supplements, Top Do’s and Dont’s.
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