When taking prescription medication it’s of utmost importance that all of your doctors are aware of all medications and any supplements you may be taking as well as other medical conditions you may have. Smartphone apps can be quite helpful for some people. These apps may involve simply listing your medications, including dosage and frequency (be sure to keep the list updated). This can be helpful when completing medical histories at doctor’s offices, as well as having available if you ever need to go to the emergency room (when it may be difficult to remember these details). Other mobile device apps assist in identifying possible drug interactions, reminding you daily when it’s time to take your medications, or alerting you when it’s time to refill the prescription.
As a medical consumer it’s important to be aware of the following:
- Drug – Food Interactions. Alcohol, caffeine, grapefruit juice, and dairy foods may either intensify or inhibit the effect of prescribed medication. Also, there are medications that specifically should be taken on either a full or an empty stomach.
- Drug – Drug Interactions. There may be prescription or over the counter medications that should be avoided when taking other medications.
- Drug – Supplement/Herbal Interactions. As an example, St. John’s wort can have a negative impact if you’re also taking prescription medication for depression or anxiety.
- Drug – Disease Interactions. For instance, someone with a heart condition needs to be sure that all of his/her doctors are aware of the condition and how it’s being treated. There are certain medications that might be helpful to the general population, but potentially harmful to a person with cardiac disease.
Read more about drug interactions here.
Taking medication exactly as prescribed makes it possible to determine if it’s having the intended effect and whether increasing or decreasing the dose may be indicated. If you haven’t been using the medication as your doctor advised, for whatever reason, it’ll be important to let the doctor know. Your doctor’s goal is to help you feel and function better. If you’re hesitant about medication, sharing your thoughts with your doctor can help you together in achieving this goal.
Finally, simply remembering to take medication is necessary, for which there are numerous tips and tricks.
Read more about adherence to drug treatment here.