MORE TIPS ON MED SAFETY
Getting the most out of your meds
You and the person you care for take prescription and over-the-counter drugs for your health. But not everyone takes care to make sure they get the most from their meds in the safest way possible. Here are a few suggestions to help:
Make sure each person's meds are in vials or other containers that are color-coded or otherwise identified to the user. Try using rubber bands of different color on each person's pill bottle. Some pharmacies will do this for you.
If you use weeklong pill organizers, make sure each person's organizer is different. Also consider using different colors for morning pills and evening pills to assure that the right pills are taken at the right time of day.
There's more to where you keep your meds than "out of the reach of children." Certainly that's good advice. But it also is recommended that meds be kept out of a bathroom that often gets steamy from showers and baths, since the frequent change in temperature and humidity can affect the efficacy of some drugs. Try keeping meds in a room with more-balanced temperature and humidity levels.
Keep doctors and pharmacists informed of all drugs and supplements that are being used, whether prescribed or over the counter. And especially do this if you are using multiple pharmacists to make sure there are not medication conflicts they would otherwise not know about.
Maintain a record of what drugs are being taken, the dosage and frequency, the prescribing doctor, drug's purpose and pharmacy where it is to be filled. Be aware of the available number of refills, if any, and whether the med should be taken with or without food, or if food is at all relevant. Also, be aware of the expiration date of each medicine, disposing of it if that date has been reached.