Most people take a prescription or nonprescription medication from time to time. Consider these questions and answers for safety and effectiveness.
How do I know how long to take my medications?
Often, the type of medication you are taking determines the length of time it should be used. These are the three types of prescription medications:
Chronic: those you take for greater than one year or lifelong. Examples include heart, blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol medications.
Short-term: those you take for a few weeks
or less than one year. An example is an antibiotic.
What questions should I ask my pharmacist?
Is the product safe for use along with my other medications? How much and how often should I take it?
How do I know if it is working? What side effects should I look for?
Is the product safe and effective for use? Is this a reputable and safe manufacturer?
Do I need to take this medication with food?
- “Take with food” means to take your medication right before eating, with a meal or right after eating.
- “Take on an empty stomach” means to take your medication two hours before or after eating.
As needed: those you take as needed, which may be short- or long-term. Examples include ointments, creams, sleep aids and pain relievers.
What should I look for when buying nonprescription medications?
If purchasing a nonprescription medication, read the label and treat only the symptoms you are experiencing.
Active ingredients: Contents and their purpose
Uses: Problems treated Warnings: When to avoid Directions: How to dose safely
What questions should I ask my pharmacist?
Is the product safe for use along with my other medications? How much and how often should I take it?
How do I know if it is working? What side effects should I look for?
Is the product safe and effective for use? Is this a reputable and safe manufacturer?
Do I need to take this medication with food?
- “Take with food” means to take your medication right before eating, with a meal or right after eating.
- “Take on an empty stomach” means to take your medication two hours before or after eating.
Aim for adherence
Consider using one or more of these tools to be sure you take your medications as directed.
- Phone alarm – a recurring scheduled reminder
- Calendar – mark off each day after medication is taken
- Pill box – organized by day and time
- Timer cap – shows last time bottle was opened
- PillPack – packaged by time of administration
- Medsync – ready on same date
These are a few examples.
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- Grapefruit or grapefruit juice: cholesterol medication, oral contraceptives
- Calcium-containing products: antibiotics, thyroid medications
- Caffeine: asthma, antibiotics
- Dark green leafy vegetables: blood thinners such as warfarin
- Alcohol/opioids: antibiotics; anxiety, depression, allergy or sleep medications
How should I store medications?
Excess, expired or unwanted medications should be disposed of as soon as possible. Unwanted medications may lead to unintentional poisonings, misuse or abuse by others, and environmental contamination.
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- Store according to directions. Refrigerate if needed (for example, insulin).
- Keep your meds in the original packaging.
- Avoid extreme temperatures.
- Keep away from children.
- Use a locked medication dispenser.
NDAssistive.org is a local resource that offers/recommends various medication management systems. Check them out!