Maintain a current list of all your prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary supplements.
Make certain that your primary care physician, medical specialists, dentists, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers know all the medications you are taking. Take your current list of medications, including supplements, to all your visits to healthcare providers.
Have all your prescriptions filled at a single pharmacy that will automatically check for drug interactions. This will assure that a drug/drug interaction check is completed each time a prescription is filled.
Get a regular “medication checkup” from a pharmacist or a physician. Centegra Health System Wellness Center at Sun City will provide free private consultations with a Centegra pharmacist regarding your medications on Tuesday, Dec. 4. Appointments are necessary. Please call The Wellness Center at 847-515-2078.
Keep a daily or weekly chart of all your medications and check them off as you take them. It is very easy – and dangerous – to forget to take a medication or to accidentally take more than one dose. This is especially true when you take multiple medications and are not feeling well. Make your own chart or use one that is available online at no charge.
Avoid taking over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements that you do not really need to stay in good health. Some herbal supplements – including products labeled “natural” – have drug-like effects that can be dangerous, depending upon your medical conditions and other medications you are taking. Ask your primary care physician to advise you as to whether you should take any of these substances. Your pharmacist may also advise you as to the safety of these substances, based on your prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
Keep an updated File of Life on your refrigerator for each member of your household. Complete the insert in pencil so it can easily be updated. If you do not have a File of Life or if you need new inserts, contact your Neighborhood Watch Coordinator.
Marilyn Gillis writes this column in collaboration with Sun City’s Neighborhood Watch/Neighbors Helping Neighbors Committee.
