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Get To Know Your Medications
Knowledge is the Best Medicine
Did you know that taking your medicine as prescribed by your doctor is the single
most important way to stay healthy, prevent complications and slow the progression
of your condition? Proper use of your medicines can also prevent falls, ER visits,
hospitalizations, surgeries, and some treatments.
Here are some general guidelines about managing your medicines:
- Review your medications with your physician or pharmacist;
- Keep a list of your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbal or natural
remedies or vitamins – place a copy on your fridge and one in your wallet;
- Ask about test results that indicate whether your medicine is effective;
- If you take medication for a particular problem, is it working?
- Is your condition better? Do you need to continue taking the medicine? Can the dosage
be reduced?
- Any side effects or new issues that could be caused by these medicines?
For any new medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist:
- What is this medication for?
- How and when do I take it?
- What effects and side effects can I expect from the medication?
- When should I call if I have side effects?
- What do I do when I finish the prescription?
- Do I stop taking other medication when I start taking this one?
- Do I take it with food?
- Ask about your immunization record. When was your last: …
- Flu vaccination (recommended annually)
- pneumonia vaccination (once is usually enough)
- TB (Mantoux) test
- Tetanus vaccination (booster shot recommended every 10 years)
- Hepatitis A vaccination (protects against contaminated food or water.)
- Hepatitis B vaccination (protects against tainted blood and body fluids.)
My Daily Medication Record
Our Daily Medication Record is an easy way
to make sure that you take your medicine each and every day.
My Health Record
Call 1-877-853-1195 to request your complimentary
My Health Record booklet and start recording all your medications
and other health information. Personalize it with your family history, current health
status, tests, procedures and specialists. We Care will also send you a handy fridge
magnet, just for asking.
How to safely store and use your medication
- For convenience, store all of your medications together in a designated location
unless they require refrigeration or are marked “store in a cool place.” This will
help your find them easily in an emergency or if your doctor needs to review them.
- Always keep all medications out of the reach of children.
- Never mix different medications together in one container
- Medicines should be stored in a cool, dry area. Designate a place in your living
room or bedroom—not the kitchen or bathroom.
- Medications stored in the refrigerator should be separated from other items in the
refrigerator. Consider keeping them in a plastic box in one area of the refrigerator.
- Keep oral medications apart from other items that are for external use only such
as creams and ointments.
- Expired medications (there are expiration dates on all of your medications) and
any medication that your doctor has discontinued should be discarded by returning
them to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
- Never share or give your medications to another person.
- Never take yourself off a medication or change the dosage without first speaking
to your doctor.
The Public Health Agency of Canada provides additional information to help seniors
safely use their medications. Call 1-800-267-1245 or visit their
website for more information.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/publications/public/medication/med/index-eng.php#toc
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