Do not be Drug Smug – Review
All medications require monitoring over time to ensure an adequate balance is achieved between symptom reduction and side effects.
A review will always include an assessment of symptom change after beginning a new medication as one medication can interact with another and different people respond to medications in different ways. As we become older or wiser, we may respond to medications in different ways.
We may require a reduced dosage as we lose weight or absorb and use the drug differently.
Letting a prescribing health professional know that falls or dizziness have begun or increased after taking a new medication is very important, as a dosage change or different medication may be required. Also, cloudy thinking and muscle pain may also require a dosage change or different medication.
This is but one example of many possible reasons to have medication reviews on a regular basis.
Here is a place to check out medication interactions. www.rxlist.com. Go to the drug interaction checker at this website and enter all of your Supplements and medications to check for interactions We all know about grapefruit juice and its interactions with many medications.
Be aware of the Gag order...http://s.cleveland.com/KlwoTRR
A gag order is where a pharmacy is not permitted to inform you, as the customer, that cheaper generic medications are available. A generic medication has the same active ingredient at the same strength as a name brand medication, however as the medication is no longer in patent, other manufacturers can supply it.
The better you are informed about your medication, the more you are involved in your life and the more you will work as a team member to obtain the best quality of life.
We have to work together to have good communication with the healthcare providers and realize that it is just that….working together to communicate symptoms that may require changes.
Stay tuned for our discussion on falls and medications
Geritrak.. stay on track.
GeriTraK. Good to Know