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Managing your medications
plays a key role in your health People are learning more each day about management of their health. They focus on living healthier through exercise, diet, controlling their stress and managing their medications. Doctors, nurses, dieticians, and pharmacists serve as an excellent resources when it comes to caring for your health. When visiting a physician, ask questions about the medications prescribed. These questions should include: • What is the brand and generic names of
the medications? As a pharmacist we focus on providing medications to treat conditions diagnosed by your physician. These medications must be taken according to directions. The pharmacist explains the directions for use and presents information about the product with each prescription. If you have questions, feel free to call the pharmacist or the physician who prescribed the medication. A list of all maintenance medications and allergies should be carried with you at all times. This is designed to provide information during doctor office visits and in case of emergency. Keep this list current and include over-the-medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal supplements. Also, your medication list should include drug allergies and your specific reactions. Even when purchasing over-the-counter medications it is advisable to have the pharmacist review your list of current medications for possible interactions. Be cautious in purchasing herbal products that may interact with medications. Further caution is advised since these products are not regulated for purity or potency. The Pharmacist can assist in screening these as well. If you have allergies, have a chronic condition or take medications such as blood thinners, consider wearing a Medic-Alert bracelet. There are many look alike or sound alike medications on the market. The pharmaceutical companies are striving to avoid these. However, some have been on the market for years. Your list of maintenance medications should be clear. When visiting a new physician, urgent care, clinic, hospital, or other healthcare provider present your medication list to them. If they need more information, have them call the pharmacy. Read your label each time you take your medication. Store your medications in the original container away from heat, light, and moisture. Keep medications out of the reach of children and separate from household products. Do not store ointments or creams next to toothpaste. Pet medications and supplies should be kept away from your medications. Check the appearance of refilled medications. If they look different ask your pharmacist. Sometime Pharmacies purchase generics from different manufacturers so it is always best to double check when in doubt. Do not chew, crush or break capsules or tablets unless instructed as the absorption and effect will be changed. If medication color and/or form changes while stored, call your pharmacist and ask about stability. Medications with expiration dates should be used entirely before that date or discarded. If medications do not show an expiration date, discard them after one year. Once medication has been provided for you, do not share with others, and you should never take someone else’s medication. Doing so could cause serious health problems, including interactions with other medications or allergic reactions. Become an active partner in your health management and play a key role in preventing medication errors. The more information you have about your medications and share with your health practitioners, the more likely medication errors can be prevented. It is in your best interest to know about your medications, learn how and when to take them, and the effects and possible side effects. You can find a useful tool to track your medications at www.themedform.com. Prima Parker is the Director of Pharmacy at Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital. This information is provided by Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital as general information only. For specific medical advice, consult your physician. Click here to read the article from United for Patient Safety Community News. PDFs to Download
Support group helps prostate
cancer survivors Tempe, AZ Jan. 12, 2006 – It’s the second most common type of cancer found in American men and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. More than 230,000 men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and more than 4,300 live in Arizona. For men who are diagnosed or have survived prostate cancer, the Us TOO! Organization hosts a support group for men and their partners at Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital. The meetings feature physician speakers, the latest information about prostate cancer treatments, medical technology and pharmaceutical updates, and advocacy issues. The support group is FREE and open to the public. The Tempe Us TOO! support group meets 7 to 9 p.m. at Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, 1500 S. Mill Ave., in the Medical Office Building, Suite 208, on the fourth Monday of the month excluding summer months. In 2006, Us TOO will meet: Jan. 23 Us TOO! is an international not-for-profit organization providing information, counseling and educational meetings to assist men with prostate problems in making decisions about their treatment with confidence and support. In 1990, a prostate cancer survivor founded the organization. For more information, visit www.ustoo.org. Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, an IASIS Healthcare facility, offers a full range of services including emergency, surgical, wound care, diagnostics, pain management, and sports medicine in a caring, community hospital atmosphere. The 109-bed Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital celebrated its 60th anniversary in March 2004. For more information about the hospital, visit www.tempestlukeshospital.com. Contact:
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