Page 16 - BARMC Guide 2017 MOBILE

12
Understand Your Medicines
Your doctor may prescribe medicine for you while you are in the hospital. It is important that you understand exactly what they are for and how to take them. The checklist below will help you ask your doctor the right questions:
• What is the name of the medicine?
• What is this medicine for?
• How do I take this medicine, how much do I take, how many times a day and for how long?
• What are the possible side e ects?
• Can I take this medicine while taking other medicines 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 do if I miss a dose?
Use a watch you can program, your computer, a tablet or cell phone to set an alarm that will help you remember to take your medicines on time.
Use the Medicine Minder on pg. 13
to help you keep track of all of your medicines, strengths and dosages.
Take notes, keep track of appointments or write down questions for your doctor on pg. 14.
THERE ARE NO
DUMB QUESTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICATION:
You have an experienced sta on hand to help you fully understand your medicines.
So–ask!
Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs
• Some medicines look and sound like other medicines you may be taking, or have just been prescribed.
• Example: Celebrex, Cerebyx and Celexa are brand names that look similar when quickly glancing at
a prescription label.
• Tramadol,Trazodone and Toradol are Generic names that also look alike at a glance.
• Confusing your medicines might lead to unwanted side-e ects.
• Review your medicines closely and understand the brand name and generic name of the drug, what it is for and the dosage. Be clear about what you are taking!
Drug Interactions
Sometimes di erent over- the-counter or prescription medicines contain the same active ingredient. So when you take more than one medicine at the same time, it's possible to take too much of the same active ingredient.
• Readthelabelcarefullyto nd out exactly what you're taking.
• Whenindoubt,askyourdoctor or pharmacist. It's simple.
Read the label.
Source: www.nclnet.org and www.fda.gov/cder
PATIENT SAFETY-UNDERSTAND YOUR MEDICINES
Help Prevent
Medicine Errors
Be sure your doctors and nurses know the following:
• All medicines you are taking, including prescription, over-the- counter drugs, herbal or vitamin supplements, natural remedies and recreational drugs. Make a list before you go to the hospital.
• If you have allergies to medicines, anesthesia, foods, latex products, etc. Medical alert tags are a good way of relaying information about you. For example, if you are allergic to any medicines, are diabetic or on blood thinners, the tag would display this information. These medical alert tags can be found at your local pharmacy.
Be sure that any medicines, procedures or lab tests ordered match the name and birth date on your ID name bracelet.
Just because
a drug is sold without a prescription doesn't mean that it isn't serious medicine!