| Posted February 4, 2014 | By Amanda Daniel, R.N. | Categorized under Men's Health, Women's Health |

With the rise of chronic illness and obesity, we have seen a surge in the number of prescription medications that are being prescribed to patients by their physician. Nowadays, there are more than 140,000 different prescription drug types available to be ordered by your physician at any given time and countless more overthe-counter medications and supplements widely available and easily  accessible to us all.

The more medications we take on a daily basis, the greater risk we have of experiencing adverse-and potentially lethal-reactions. The average adult with one chronic illness takes up to five prescription drugs per day. You can help prevent the occurrence of dangerous side effects by maintaining an accurate list of all medications and understanding what you are taking and why.

Keep an accurate list

There are many different ways to keep a list. With modern technology many people have taken to keeping a spread sheet or using a smartphone app, but an old-fashioned list on paper is just as good as anything. Here at Williamson Medical Center we provide a card that easily folds and fits inside a wallet or purse. The key to the list is to keep it up to date. Any changes that are made should be reflected on the list as soon as possible. Also, a lot of people forget to include over-the-counter medications on their list. These items need to be included because even over-the-counter drugs can interfere with prescribed medications. Other common items that are often left off the list are vitamins, supplements, creams, patches, lotions, ear drops and eye drops just to name a few.

When writing out a list of home medications, be accurate and thorough. Your health care providers will need the name of the medication (spelled correctly), the prescribed dose or the over-the-counter instructions, how you take it (i.e., by mouth), time of day you take it, and any other pertinent information. Taking a complete list to all doctor visits and hospital stays is the best way to communicate. Always remember to keep the list up to date.

Click the image below to print a two-sided medication list that can be folded up and carried with you wherever you go.

Understanding your meds

Let's face it. Keeping up with medications can be confusing. Even doctors, nurses, and pharmacists have to look up medications from time to time. Some drugs these days are a combination of two different medications, which can make the drug information even more difficult to understand. However, knowing what is prescribed and why you are taking it is crucial for your safety. It's important to know the following information for each of your meds:

• What is the drug used for? Some drugs have multiple uses. Understanding what the doctor has prescribed this medication for will help explain what results can be expected.
  
  
• How and when should the drug be taken? If you do not understand the directions written on the prescription, please do not hesitate to ask the doctor, pharmacist, or nurse to help explain. Taking the drug the wrong way or at the wrong time can be dangerous. Taking too much or too little because of lack of understanding can be lethal. Drugs work in many different ways and some of them are very dangerous if taken in error. Never be afraid to ask.
  
  
• What if a dose is missed? Assuming it is OK to double-up on a dose or skip a dose of medication can also be dangerous. Some drugs work best when kept at a consistent therapeutic level and having too much or too little can cause harm.
  
  
• What are the side effects and what could interact with this drug? Almost every drug has side effects. Understanding which side effects require medical attention is imperative. Some side effects may be mild such as slight nausea, whereas others can be severe such as internal bleeding. Just like side effects, interactions can also be dangerous. Knowing that over-the-counter drugs and supplements sometimes interact with prescribed medications is also important. By having your complete, up-todate medication list with you at all times, your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse can accurately check for negative  interactions between drugs that have been prescribed to you and any over-the-counter drugs or supplements you're currently taking.
  
  
• How should the drug be stored? Some drugs should be kept refrigerated, while others react to light or heat. Check with the pharmacy or read the label to ensure you are storing your medications in the right place for the best effects and results.
  
  
• Are there any lab tests that need to be checked with this drug? Sometimes doctors order lab tests to make sure the medication is working properly and safely for certain patients. For example, patients who take blood thinners are often asked to have blood drawn to make sure their bleeding time is just right. The doctor wants the drug to thin the blood in order to prevent blood clots, but not thin the blood so much that it causes significant bleeding. Keeping a check on the blood level helps the doctor know the patient is not at risk for blood clots or excessive bleeding. Following up with testing when appropriate will keep the patient safe and ensure that the medication is working correctly.

Don't be afraid to ask questions

If you are ever unsure about anything regarding your medications, whether prescribed or purchased over the counter, the best and safest thing you could is ask questions or seek help. The quality of health care increases when patients take an active role in knowing and understanding their medications. No matter how you decide to keep up with the information, maintaining an accurate and thorough list of ALL medications and supplements that you take could save your life.