Medication Management

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Medication Management

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Older adults are the nation's largest consumers of prescription and over-the-counter medications.  On average, the older adult takes 4-5 prescription medications and 2 over-the-counter medications a day. National Council of Aging

What do we know about medication errors? : 

What do we know about medication errors? Medication errors can create costly and serious, even catastrophic, health problems: 5th leading cause of death for older adults 7,000 deaths per year due to adverse drug events Studies estimate up to 40% of community-dwelling seniors have medication-related problems About 1/5 of community-dwelling elderly use at least 1 of 33 drugs considered potentially inappropriate

High Risk Problems : 

High Risk Problems High-risk medication problems: unnecessary therapeutic duplication cardiovascular medication problems use of psychotropic drugs in patients with a reported recent fall and/or confusion use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in patients at high risk of peptic ulcer complications.

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As you age, body changes can affect the way medicines are absorbed and used. For example, changes in the digestive system can affect how fast medicines enter the bloodstream. Changes in body weight can influence the amount of medicine you need to take and how long it stays in your body. The circulation system may slow down, which can affect how fast drugs get to the liver and kidneys. The liver and kidneys also may work more slowly, affecting the way a drug breaks down and is removed from the body.

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The more you know about your medicines and the more you talk with your health care professionals, the easier it is to avoid problems with medicines.

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Drug Interactions 4 kinds

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Drug-drug interactions happen when two or more medicines react with each other to cause unwanted effects. This kind of interaction can also cause one medicine to not work as well or even make one medicine stronger than it should be. For example, you should not take aspirin if you are taking a prescription blood thinner, such as warfarin, unless your health care professional tells you to. Aspirin also thins the blood.

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Drug-condition interactions happen when a medical condition you already have makes certain drugs potentially harmful. For example, if you have high blood pressure or asthma, you could have an unwanted reaction if you take a nasal decongestant. Nasal decongestant is a vaso constrictor (make the blood vessels smaller) which could cause your blood pressure to go up to unacceptable levels.

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Drug-food interactions result from drugs reacting with foods or drinks. In some cases, food in the digestive track can affect how a drug is absorbed. Some medicines also may affect the way nutrients are absorbed or used in the body.

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Drug-alcohol interactions can happen when the medicine you take reacts with an alcoholic drink. For instance, mixing alcohol with some medicines may cause you to feel tired and slow your reactions.

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What Are Side Effects? Side effects are unplanned symptoms or feelings you have when taking a medicine. Most side effects are not serious and go away on their own; others can be more bothersome and even serious. To help prevent possible problems with medicines, seniors must know about the medicine they take and how it makes them feel. Keep track of side effects to help your doctor know how your body is responding to a medicine. New symptoms or mood changes may not be a result of getting older but could be from the medicine you’re taking or another factor, such as a change in diet or routine. If you have an unwanted side effect, call your doctor right away.

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Tell your health professionals about your medical history and about all medicines or supplements you take.

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All Medicines Count: Tell your team of health care professionals about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, such as pain relievers, antacids, cold medicines, and laxatives. Don’t forget to include eye drops, dietary supplements, vitamins, herbals, and topical medicines, such as creams and ointments.

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Keep in Touch with Your Doctors: If you regularly take a prescription medicine, ask your doctor to check how well it is working, whether you still need to take it, and, if so, whether there is anything you can do (like lowering fats in your diet or exercising more) to cut back or, in time, stop needing the medicine. Don’t stop taking the medicine on your own without first talking with your doctor.

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Medical History: Tell your health care professional about your medical history. The doctor will want to know if you have any food, medicine, or other allergies. He or she also will want to know about other conditions you have or had and how you are being treated or were treated for them by other doctors. It is helpful to keep a written list of your health conditions that you can easily share with your doctors. Your primary care doctor should also know about any specialist doctors you may see on a regular basis.

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Recognizing and Remembering to Take Your Medicines: Let your health care professional know if you have trouble telling your medicines apart. The doctor can help you find better ways to recognize your medicines. Also tell your doctor if you have problems remembering when to take your medicines or how much to take. Your doctor may have some ideas to help, such as a calendar or pill box.

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Your Pharmacist Can Help Too One of the most important services a pharmacist can offer is to talk to you about your medicines. A pharmacist can help you understand how and when to take your medicines, what side effects you might expect, or what interactions may occur. A pharmacist can answer your questions privately in the pharmacy or over the telephone.

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Here are some other ways your pharmacist can help: ¦ Many pharmacists keep track of medicines on their computer. If you buy your medicines at one store and tell your pharmacist all the over-the-counter and prescription medicines or dietary supplements you take, your pharmacist can help make sure your medicines don’t interact harmfully with one another. ¦ Ask your pharmacist to place your prescription medicines in easy-to-open containers if you have a hard time taking off child-proof caps and do not have young children living in or visiting your home. (Remember to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.) ¦ Your pharmacist may be able to print labels on prescription medicine containers in larger type, if reading the medicine label is hard for you. ¦ Your pharmacist may be able to give you written information to help you learn more about your medicines. This information may be available in large type or in a language other than English.

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What You Need to Know About Your Prescription Medicines See Handout – Questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist

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It is a good idea to take all your medicines to your doctor at least once a year for a “medicine check-up.” That way your doctor can see what you are taking and tell you if there might be any interaction problems. This is also a good time to review dosage information and ask other questions you might have about your medicines. Remember to bring all over-the-counter medicines you take as well as any dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbals. It is also important to get rid of any expired medicines you may have. Medicine Check-up

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Taking Prescription Medicines Follow your doctor’s instructions Take your medicines for the whole time they are prescribed, even if you feel better (especially antibiotics) Take only your own medicines. Know about your medicines. Plan for medicines you need to take during the night. Organize your medicines at home. Keep medicines in a cool, dry place, away from bright light. If there are children in your home, remember to put medicines out of their sight and reach, Get prescriptions refilled early enough Always keeps medicines in their original containers,

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Taking Over-the-Counter Medicines Always read and follow the directions on the medicine label. Choose OTC medicines that have only the ingredients you need. Check for package tampering and the expiration date. Talk to your doctor if taking an OTC medicine becomes a regular habit.

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Any Questions ?