Safe use of medicines: take your medicines the right away--each day![ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]Neighbors Gail and Alice Alice, city (1990 pop. 19,788), seat of Jim Wells co., S Tex.; inc. 1910. Long a cow town at a railroad junction, Alice remains a cattle-shipping center. Oil and natural gas are also important to its economy. Manufactures include office equipment and fishing tools. talk about taking medicines safely Alice: I'm I'm Contraction of I am. Our Living Language Speakers of some scattered varieties of American English sometimes use I'm instead of I've or I have in present perfect constructions, as in glad to see you up and around, Gail. Your heart attack gave us all a scare. Gail: Me too, Alice. After I got out of the hospital, it was hard to keep track of all my medicines. Can you believe it? I take eight different pills every day! Some with breakfast, some at dinner, two at bedtime bedtime Sleep disorders The time when one attempts to fall asleep–as distinguished from the time when one gets into bed . [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Alice: How do you keep track of all those pills? Gail: First off--I learned about my medicines. I talked to my doctor--asked a lot of questions. I wanted to know what I was taking and why. Then I wrote down all the drug names, when I should take them, and how much I need to take. I keep one list taped to my kitchen cabinet and another in my purse PURSE. In Turkey the sum of five hundred dollars is called a purse. Merch. Dict. h.t. . My medicine list comes in handy when I see the doctor and I want to ask about a certain pill. Alice: What a good idea. James James, person in the Bible James, in the Gospel of St. Luke, kinsman of St. Jude. The original does not specify the relationship. James, rivers, United States James. and I need to make a list too! Gail: I have another tip. Buy a plastic pillbox pillbox, small, low fortification that houses machine guns and antitank weapons. Similar to a blockhouse, it is usually made of concrete, steel, logs, or filled sandbags. Pillboxes came into use during the early 20th cent. . My husband helps me fill a week's worth of pills at a time. I also leave notes on the fridge and by our bed that say, "Take your pills today!" Alice: I'm going to try your medicine tips. I bet they will work for us. Gail, you sure aren't aren't Contraction of are not. See Usage Note at ain't. aren't are not aren't be taking any chances with your health. Gail: Well--I take my pills just like the doctor says--that way I feel in charge of my good health. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Follow Gail's tips to stay on track with your medicines [] Keep a list of all your medicines in a safe place. Bring your list when you talk to your doctor or pharmacist pharmacist /phar·ma·cist/ (fahr´mah-sist) one who is licensed to prepare and sell or dispense drugs and compounds, and to make up prescriptions. phar·ma·cist n. . [] Place pills in a pillbox. [] Post notes around the house to remind you to take your medicines each day. [] Talk to your doctor about all the medicines, remedies, and vitamins you use. This will help your doctor make sure it is safe for you to take all of them together. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Make sure to include any medicines you buy without a prescription. These are called OTC OTC See: Over-the-counter. OTC See over-the-counter market (OTC). (over-the-counter) medicines. OTC drugs include things like cough syrups cough syrup n. A sweetened medicated liquid taken orally to ease coughing. for colds and antacids Antacids Definition Antacids are medicines that neutralize stomach acid. Purpose Antacids are used to relieve acid indigestion, upset stomach, sour stomach, and heartburn. for upset stomachs. Write down: [] the drug name, the doctor who prescribed pre·scribe v. pre·scribed, pre·scrib·ing, pre·scribes v.tr. 1. To set down as a rule or guide; enjoin. See Synonyms at dictate. 2. To order the use of (a medicine or other treatment). it, and how much you are taking. [] the name and amount of each remedy, vitamin, and OTC drug you take. [] the time of day you take each medicine. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Older adults use more medicines than people in other age groups You may be surprised to learn that people like Gail and Alice who are over 65 years old tend to take more medicines than any other age group. Because older adults may have a number of diseases or health problems at the same time, it is common for them to take many different kinds of drugs. Your questions answered Q: I've been taking the same prescription medicine for years. Even though I am careful to take the same amount as always, the medicine is not working like it did in the past. What is happening? A: As you age, normal changes happen in the body. You lose water and muscle tone. Also--your kidneys and liver may not pass the drugs as quickly through your system as when you were younger. This means that many medicines act differently in older people. Medicine may take longer to leave your system. Talk to your doctor if you think your medicine is not working as it should. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q: Why should I talk to my doctor about the remedies, vitamins, and OTC (over-the-counter) medicines I take, along with my regular prescriptions? A: It is very important to let your doctor know all the medicines you take. Taking some OTC medicines with your prescription drugs prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, can be downright down·right adj. 1. Thoroughgoing; unequivocal: a downright lie. 2. Forthright; candid. adv. Thoroughly; absolutely. dangerous. For example, you should not take aspirin aspirin, acetyl derivative of salicylic acid (see salicylate) that is used to lower fever, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and thin the blood. Common conditions treated with aspirin include headache, muscle and joint pain, and the inflammation caused by rheumatic if you are on Coumadin Cou·ma·din A trademark for the drug warfarin sodium. warfarin sodium Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan (UK), Warfilone (CA) Pharmacologic class: Coumarin derivative Therapeutic class: (warfarin warfarin (wôr`fərĭn), anticoagulant used to treat blood clots. In large doses it causes bleeding. Warfarin, mixed with bait, is used in rodent control. warfarin Anticoagulant drug, marketed as Coumadin. ) for heart problems. Some OTC drugs can lead to serious problems if used too often or with certain other drugs. Combining drugs without talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to your doctor first could make you sick. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q: I'm getting sick to my stomach a lot since I started my new pills. Some days I feel so sick I am tempted to stop taking the medicine. What should I do? A: Talk to your doctor about any side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. before you stop any medicines. Your doctor may have tips that can help, such as eating a light snack with your pills. You may want to talk to your doctor about switching to a new medicine. Q: What does it mean to take medicines on an empty stomach? A: Taking medicines on an empty stomach means to either take your pills 2 hours before you eat or 2 hours after you eat. For example: Eat first and take the pills 2 hours later. If you eat breakfast at 8 in the morning, wait for 2 hours or until 10 in the morning before you take your pills. Or take the pills first and eat 2 hours later. If you take your pills at 8 in the morning, wait until 10 in the morning to eat. In both cases, your stomach will be empty enough for the pills to work. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hints to get the best results from your medicines Use this list to check off the tips you will try. Keep the list handy so you can read it each time you get a new medicine. Keep a list [] I will write down the names of my prescription drugs and any vitamins, remedies, or OTC drugs I am taking. [] I will keep a list of the doctors who prescribed my medicine and the amount I take. [] I will add any new medicines to my list. Check labels [] I will check the label on my medicine before I start a new medicine. I will make sure it has my name on it. [] I will call the doctor or pharmacist if I have questions about how to take the medicine. Take the medicine the right way--each day [] I will take the medicine in the exact amount (never more or less) listed on the label. [] I will take the medicine at the times the doctor told me to. [] I will not stop taking my prescription drug unless my doctor says it is okay--even if I am feeling better. Learn about side effects [] I will talk to my doctor or pharmacist if I have questions about the written information that comes with my prescription. [] I will call my doctor right away if I am having side effects. My doctor may be able to offer hints to lower the side effects or suggest another medicine. Play it safe [] I will not give friends or family members medicine meant for me. [] I will not take medicine prescribed for others. [] I will not drink any beer, wine, or hard liquor hard liquor A popular term for beverages with a high–often > 30% by volume–ie, 60 proof alcohol content–eg, gin, rum, vodka, whiskey; HLs are preferred by alcoholics as a steady state of low-level inebriation is easier to maintain. See Standard drink. while I am taking a medicine unless my doctor says it is okay. [] I will not take any medicine that is too old (expired ex·pire v. ex·pired, ex·pir·ing, ex·pires v.intr. 1. To come to an end; terminate: My membership in the club has expired. 2. date on the label). Talk to your doctor and pharmacist. Get the facts about your medicine "I talk to my doctor each time she prescribes a new medicine. I take my list of questions in and go point by point. I also find my pharmacist helpful in answering my questions. I'm not one to take medicine without knowing the facts." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Seven questions you will want to ask about your medicines Ask these questions before you leave your doctor's office. Take this list with you each time you visit your doctor. Be sure to write your answers and keep them where you will see them. Ask your doctor: 1. What is the name of the medicine, and why am I taking it? 2. What medical condition does this medicine treat? 3. How many times a day and how much medicine should I take? For how long? 4. How long will it take to work? 5. What should I do if I miss a dose? 6. Are there any side effects I should know about? When should I call you if I am having side effects? 7. Can I safely mix this medicine with the remedies, vitamins, and OTC drugs I am taking? Each time you visit: Be sure to ask your doctor if you still need to be on all your medicines. You and your pharmacist "The labels were so hard to read. I asked my pharmacist to use bigger type on the label. She did it gladly. What a help!" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Before you leave the pharmacy pharmacy, art of compounding and dispensing drugs and medication. The term is also applied to an establishment used for such purposes. Until modern times medication was prepared and dispensed by the physician himself. In the 18th cent. , be sure to: [] Check the label on your medicine. [] Make sure the bottle has your name on it. [] Make sure the directions are the same ones your doctor talked with you about. If not, tell the pharmacist. [] Ask for an easy-open cap if you have trouble opening the cap. Be sure to keep all medicines out of reach of children. [] And, most important--make sure you can read and understand the directions on the container. Staying on a medicine plan is not always easy. Ask friends and family for help. Pull out this brochure often to help you take charge of your health. Follow these hints to make sure you take your medicines the right way--each day. The medicine you take [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fill in the form below. Go over your medicine list with your doctor at each visit. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about your medicines. Take this brochure with you. |
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