Medication Management

Medication management is an ongoing process that helps you get the most benefit from the medicines you take. The steps you take can also help prevent side effects or other unwanted events. And it’s a process you don’t have to take on alone. Healthcare providers can help you with it, too.

Who needs medication management?

Everyone can benefit from medication management. But for some people, it can be much more important. You can benefit from medication management most if you:

• Are an older adult: Certain medications can affect you more if you’re over 65. The Beers Criteria is a guideline that lists medications that may be riskier for adults over 65. Ask your healthcare provider whether any of your medications are on this list and whether they’re appropriate for you.
• Have chronic conditions (especially more than one): Some medications, like those for blood pressure, can make you dizzy. This puts you at risk for falling and getting hurt.
• Take multiple medications daily: The more medications you take, the greater your risk of side effects and drug interactions.

What is considered medication management?

There are many ways to manage your medications.

How you take and handle your medications is part of medication management. You should:

• Always take them exactly as prescribed, even if you feel well or don’t have symptoms.
• Avoid foods or drinks that may interact with your medications, such as grapefruit or alcohol, if your provider or pharmacist advises you to do so.
• Don’t crush or break pills or open capsules without asking your provider or pharmacist first, since that can change how your medicine works.
• Keep medications secure and out of reach of children, pets or others they weren’t prescribed for.
• Store your medications at the right temperature and humidity, keeping in mind that bathrooms are often too humid.
• Use timers, alarms or even smartphone apps for medication reminders.
• Use tools like pill organizers to take your medicines daily.
• When possible, get all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy.

Communicating with your healthcare provider is another key part of medication management. You can:

• Bring a current list of everything you take — medications, vitamins and supplements — to all appointments.
• Make sure your provider’s records include a list of any allergies you have.
• See your primary care provider regularly and review your medicines with them.
• Tell your provider about any side effects (even ones that seem unrelated).
• Tell your provider about anything that makes it harder to take your medicines, like side effects or difficulty swallowing pills.
• Tell your provider if you notice new side effects or if a medicine becomes less effective.

Asking your healthcare provider or pharmacist questions is also important. You can:

• Ask if any of your medicines will affect whether you can safely drive, work and do other daily activities.
• Ask whether you can take over-the-counter medicines with prescriptions.
• Ask your pharmacist about medication refill timing, so you have enough left and don’t run out.
• Ask your pharmacist when your medicines expire and how to properly dispose of them when needed (don’t dispose of them any other way).

Many pharmacies offer drug take-back programs or kiosks. If one isn’t available, your pharmacist can tell you safe alternatives. Avoid flushing medications unless the label specifically says it’s safe to do so.

There’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your medicines. And getting answers can make a big difference in how effective your medicines are.

About your medication list

Your medication list should include ALL medicines and supplements you take. That includes:

• Names
• Doses
• How often you take them
• Why you take them
• Who prescribed them (for prescriptions)

You should keep a copy of your medicine list with you at all times. Your provider or pharmacist can give you a blank list to fill out. Electronic medical records are convenient for tracking your medicines. But keeping a hard copy with you can be helpful in emergencies or when seeing new providers.

Who can answer medication questions?

Ask the healthcare provider who prescribed the medication. Your primary care provider can also answer many questions. You can ask your pharmacist questions about your medications, too.

Some common questions people ask include:

• Can heat or light damage my medications? If it will, make sure you don’t leave them somewhere hot or exposed to sunlight.
• Do I need to refrigerate my medications? Only if the label or your provider says so.
• What do I do if I’m having trouble reading or understanding my prescription? Your provider or pharmacist can give you printouts with larger type.
• What do I do if I’m having trouble opening a container or package? Your pharmacist can put your medication in a bottle that’s easier to open.
• When should I take my medication? Your provider can tell you if your medicine is best taken at specific times. Some medications need to be taken with food. Others need to be taken on an empty stomach.
• What do I do if my medicine is too expensive? Providers and pharmacists may know about discounts, coupon cards, government programs or other kinds of assistance. Don’t feel ashamed to ask about ways to save.