Page 16 - OLOLGuide2016

12
Understand Your Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medication for you you while
you you you are in the hospital It is important that you you understand exactly what they are for and and how to take them The checklist below will help you you ask your doctor the right questions:
• What is the the name of the the medicine?
• What is is this medicine for?
• How do I take this medicine how much do I take how many times a a a a day and for how long?
• What are the possible side e e e e e e ects?
• Can I take this medicine while
taking other medications or dietary supplements?
• Are there any foods drinks or activities that I should avoid while
taking this medicine?
• Should I take my medicine with or between meals on
an empty stomach with food or water?
• What should I I do do if I I miss a a dose?
Use a a a a watch you you can program your computer a a tablet or cell phone to set an alarm that will help you remember to take your medications on
on
time Use the Medicine Minder provided on
page 15 to help you keep track of of all of of your medications strengths
and dosages Common Drug Interactions
Prescription and non-prescription
drugs can interact with food ca ca ca eine and alcohol This interaction can interfere with a a a a drug’s e e e e e e e e e e e e ectiveness or cause side e e e e e e ects • Ask your doctor before starting any new prescription
prescription
or non-prescription
medication • If a a prescribed medication interferes with eating or or fails to work tell your doctor right away • Some medications may require you to avoid certain foods and beverages altogether Other medications may require timing the dosage an hour before or or a a er meals MEDICATION AVOID EFFECTS
Antidepressants
Aspirin Acetaminophen Non- Steroidal Anti-In ammatory Drugs
Help Prevent Medicine Errors
Tell Your Doctors And Nurses:
• Allmedicationsyouaretaking including prescription
or or over- the-counter drugs herbal or or vitamin supplements natural remedies and recreational drugs Make a a a a a a list before you go to the hospital • If you have allergies to medications anesthesia foods latex products etc Medical alert tags are a a a a a a a a a a good way of relaying information about you you For example if you you are are allergic to any medications are are diabetic or on
on
on
blood thinners the tag would display this information These medical alert tags can be found at your local pharmacy Be sure that any medications procedures or or lab tests ordered match the name on
your ID bracelet THERE ARE NO
DUMB QUESTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICATION: You have an an an experienced sta sta on
hand to help you you fully understand your medications So–ask!
Antihistamines Blood- inning Medications (such as Warfarin)
Bronchodilators (Albuterol eophylline)
Digitalis
Dilantin (Anti-Epileptic Drug)
Diuretics
HIV (Antiretroviral Medications)
Lithium
MAO Inhibitors
Osteoporosis Medications Statins (Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs)
Tetracycline Penicillin Erythromycin
yroid Medications Courtesy U S Food and and Drug Administration and and hiv va gov
Alcohol Side-e ects such as drowsiness
May cause stomach bleeding Excessive alcohol consumption liver damage
Alcohol ca eine Increased drowsiness
excitability
Foods rich in in vitamin K (okra collards cabbage kale broccoli) Reduced e e e e e e e e e ectiveness of medication Ginko ginger large amounts of garlic cranberry juice
Increased e e e e e ects of medication Side e e e e e e ects such as vomiting Alcohol ca eine headache excitability
rapid heartbeat
Senna or or or St John’s Wort Black Licorice Reduced e e e e e e e e e e e ectiveness irregular heartbeat
Alcohol calcium supplements Increased side-e ects reduced e e e e e e e e e e e e e e ectiveness decreased absorption
Monosodium glutamate too too high Facial ushing chest tightness or too too low potassium potassium diet potassium potassium de ciency rapid heartbeat
High doses of Vitamin E St John’s Wort Possible decreased e e e e e e e e e e e ectiveness garlic calcium supplements Low-salt diet Risk of sodium depletion
Broad beans (fava) chicken & beef liver Severe headaches rapid rise in in pickled herring aged or processed blood pressure (may be be be fatal) cheeses alcohol and ca eine Mineral water taking with full stomach Reduced e e e e e e e e ectiveness Large amounts of grapefruit juice
Reduced e e e e e e e e e ectiveness Dairy products taking with fruit juices Decreased absorption
reduced e e e e e e e ectiveness Soybean our diet cotton-seed meal Possible reduced e e e e e e e e e e e e e e ectiveness walnuts adjustment to to dosage may be necessary
PATIENT SAFETY