A special word about antibiotics: These are
meant to be taken in their entirety when they
are prescribed. Saving some for the next
infection may cause serious health problems.
Bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics and
need even stronger medication the next time.
Plus, for the second infection, a different
class of antibiotics may be used in order to
prevent resistance build-up.
Watch for Side Effects:
Seniors especially can be sensitive to new
medications. Ask your doctor about possible side
effects of the medication and how it may react
with other medicines that you are currently
taking. Most pharmacies hand out leaflets with
information about drug side effects and when to
contact the doctor. Read these leaflets and keep
them in a safe place for future reference,
especially if you have to take the medicine
long-term. Caregivers need to be aware of how to
cross-reference these and hand-carry them to the
doctor if necessary to be sure that the right
medication is being prescribed.
Borrowing or Lending Medicine:
A big concern for physicians today is taking
medication intended for someone else. This is a
dangerous practice that needs to be eliminated.
Prescription medication should never be taken by
anyone else than for whom it was intended. Other
individuals have special medical histories and
may also be taking other medicines that can
cause serious drug interactions. By the same
token, never give away your old prescription
medication.
What if medication is left over and you want
to donate it? The best advice here is not to
donate it. Most places can’t accept medication
donations and will only have to dispose of the
medicine after you leave. If you think they may
be able to use it, call ahead to find out. There
are some outreach projects that are able to
accept donated medications, providing that
specific instructions are followed. Don’t assume
that the charity will be able to accept your
medication (or medical supplies even) without
checking with them first.
Skipping Doses:
Take each medicine as prescribed and don’t
skip doses to make the medication stretch
further. Skipping doses can cause problems later
when your condition isn’t managed properly. If
you need help paying for medications, there are
more than 40 patient assistance programs
available depending on your situation and the
program’s guidelines.
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