older people’s health issues
Aging and Medications
Maximizing the Benefits and Reducing the Risks of Taking Drugs
Older people and the people who care for them can do many things to maximize the benefits and reduce the risks of taking drugs. Any questions about or problems with a drug should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist. Taking drugs as instructed and communicating with health care providers is essential for avoiding problems and promoting good health. Know about the drugs and disorders being treated: Keep a list of all medical problems and drug allergies. Keep a list of all drugs being taken, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, and medicinal herbs. Learn why each drug is taken and what its benefits are supposed to be. Learn what side effects each drug may have and what to do if a side effect occurs. Learn how to take each drug, including what time of day it should be taken, whether it can be taken with food, or taken at the same time as other drugs, and when to stop taking the drug. Learn what to do if a dose is missed. Write down information about how to take the drug or ask the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to write it down (because such information can easily be forgotten). Use drugs correctly: Take drugs as instructed. Use memory aids, such as a medication organizer, to take drugs as instructed. Before stopping a drug, consult the doctor about any problems—for example, if side effects occur, if the drug does not seem to work, or if the cost of the drug is burdensome. Discard any unused drug from a previous prescription, unless instructed not to do so by a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. When discarding a drug, follow the disposal instructions on the label, review the information at the Food and Drug Administration'sweb site, take drugs to an authorized disposal center (possibly at a pharmacy or local law enforcement site), or mix the drug with kitty litter or coffee grounds, tightly wrap in plastic or a similar material, place in a sealable or watertight container or bag, and discard in the trash. Do not take another person’s drug, even if that person’s problem seems similar. Check the expiration date on drugs, and do not use the drug if it has expired. Work closely with the doctor and pharmacist: Get all prescriptions from the same pharmacy, preferably one that provides comprehensive services (including checking for possible drug interactions) and that maintains a complete drug profile for each person. Bring all drugs being taken to medical appointments if requested to do so. Periodically discuss the list of drugs being taken and the list of disorders with the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to make sure the drugs are correct and should be continued. For example, people can test themselves by telling their health care providers how they are supposed to take all drugs and asking whether what they have said is correct. Review the list of drugs with the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist every time a drug is changed (doctors and pharmacists can check for interactions between drugs). Make sure the doctor and pharmacist know about all over-the-counter drugs and supplements being taken, including vitamins, minerals, and medicinal herbs. Consult the doctor before taking any new drugs, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Report to the doctor or pharmacist any symptoms that might be related to the use of a drug (such as new or unexpected symptoms). If the schedule of taking drugs is too complex to follow, ask the doctor or pharmacist about simplifying it. If seeing more than one doctor, make sure each doctor knows all the drugs being taken. Ask the pharmacist to print the label in large print, and check to make sure it can be read. Ask the pharmacist to package the drug in containers that are easy to hold and to open. 