Nine Tips For Ensuring Medication Safety

Tips For Ensuring Medication Safety can mean the difference between life and death.

Here are nine tips for ensuring medication safety. First of all, men and women over the age of 64 make up 15 percent of the entire population (United States) However, this demographic group takes over 35 percent of prescription medications.

In fact, on average, senior men and women take more than four pills of different kinds every day. This does not count nonprescription or OTC(Over-the-counter) pills and supplements. Researchers have estimated that well over 85% of seniors also use herbal remedies as well as vitamin supplements. This being said, there is an inherent is risk associated with each type of medication. For example, they may cause negative side effects. Such as, allergic reactions as well as interactions with food or other medications. The potential harm is made greater seniors . Older people are generally more sensitive to these side effects.

Well known practitioners and educators in clinical pharmacology and internal medicines, maintain that . It is critical to become informed. This is more important if you are a caregiver. If so, caregivers should educate themselves about the proper use of the medications their loved ones are taking.

From avoiding the risk of interactions, to understanding and following instructions for storage and dosing. The following suggestions may help to ensure safe and effective use of medications

Know how and when the medicine should not be taken. This needs to include the past history of allergic reactions as well as the existing conditions. No joking matter. Very important with seniors and the elderly . The elderly usually will have a larger number of medical conditions which younger amen and women will not have.
Be aware of the specific dosage directions. This is more than just the number of pills to be taken. For example, whether the pills need to be taken with food, with fluids or on an empty stomach. Here is what can happen if you don’t follow directions.

- - - Medication being less effective
    - Causing complications.
    - Make the illness worse
    - Make the senior not want to take pills
    - Nausea

It is also important to take the pills at the right time. This is where a smart pill box or pill reminder is critical. Take note, most of the medicines recommended dosages are determined using trials with a younger people. In many instances, seniors may require a different dosage.

Know how to store your pills

Understand the pill storage instructions and follow them. Most pills should not be stored near. Therefore, , it is not best not to store your medication organizer or pill box in the bathroom. The same applies to heat, cold or even direct sunlight. Some medications have been know to lead to a greater sensitivity to sunlight. The results, severe sunburn which can be dangerous. In addition, senior should try to avoid excessive heat or cold when taking certain prescription pills. Ask your pharmacist for some advise. They will tell you that saunas, whirlpools and even heavy exercise should be limited or even avoided completely. It is common knowledge that that seniors are more vulnerable to extremes of cold and heat.

Foods and Alcohol

Read the label about when to avoid particular foods and/or alcohol. Certain kinds of foods should not be eaten with certain types of prescriptions. For example, certain foods or drinks need to be off-limits when taking certain medications. Grapefruit juice, is a favorite drink with seniors. However it may interact with a number of medications. The interaction will cause the medicine to be ineffective. It is just as important to find out if dietary supplements will be needed when taking a particular drug. Some kinds of pills will deplete the body of needed micro nutrients. Consequently, a patient’s diet needs to be adjusted to take this into account.

Understand the possible side effects and watch for them

Be aware that there are different reactions or symptoms . If you see them report it to your doctor immediately. It is important to note that medicines can, and often do, have a different affect senior citizens than younger people. What may be an minor in a young adult may in be much more serious for a senior. Be vigilant about educating yourself on possible drug-related reactions . More so, be especially vigilant about knowing which may require immediate medical attention.

Try to become educated on whether there are specific OTC medications that should be used with caution or avoided altogether. Research has shown us that seniors believe that over-the-counter medications are “safe” simply because they are widely available without a prescription. Some over-the-counter drugs may actually weaken and impede a prescription pills’ usefulness and actual effectiveness. For example, a common antacids has been proven to potentially minimize the effectiveness of a number of important drugs. In particular many types of antibiotics . The combination should be either avoided or taken only after consultation with the treating physician or your pharmacist.

What are the risks associated with taking any herbal supplements

Caregivers need to understand the risk associated with taking any herbal supplements in conjunction with prescription medications. Just like over-the-counter medications, many seniors make the assumption that herbals are always completely “safe”. Using herbs to treat specific medical conditions has become very popular in recent times. Unfortunately, many physicians and pharmacists are unaware of interactions or complications that herbals can cause. Interactions with herbals can reduce effectiveness of medications. Furthermore, some herbals can actually increase the levels of toxicity caused by a certain medication. Consequently, it is imperative to proceed with extreme caution and be educated about the potential for life threating issues and problems.

Know what to do if there is a missed dose

Seniors need to use a smart medication organizer with alarms and reminders. A smart pill box is the for line of defense to ensure no mistakes. This being said, just taking the missed medication at the next opportunity is not safe. Even worse, doubling of the dose to make up for a missed dose . This type of overdosing can lead to a trip to the ER. Obviously, it is very dangerous. The overdoing problem is made worse for seniors because they are taking many different pills. The schedule may be some in the morning and some at night. The complexity leads to mistakes. The best way to avoid these problems, get a Pill Box with Guides and audio reminder. Let technology do the work for you.

How to stop taking a certain medication

Don’t stop suddenly. It’s not possible to tell who will be affected,

It’s always advised that you slowly reduce your medication very slowly over a period of time. This is referred to as “tapering”. Going slowly down to the dose you want to get to will give your and your body time to adjust to being without it.

Don’t stop suddenly. Ask your Health Care Professional the best way to discontinue the use of a particular drug. Your Pharmacist is a great resource to avoid mistakes. When quitting to take the dose abruptly can have negative effects and severe consequences. Also, the problem could be worse if the pills were taken for a long time.

It’s not possible to tell who will be affected, so it’s always advised that you slowly reduce your medication very slowly over a period of time. This is sometimes called tapering. Going slowly down to the dose you want to get to will give your and your body time to adjust to being without it.