Medication safety
Your doctor and pharmacist need to know about every medication — both prescription and over-the-counter — that you are taking so they can safely prescribe and dispense your medications. Combining different prescription medications or prescriptions with over-the-counter medications can lead to dangerous drug interactions.
Help ensure your well being
When it comes to medications, there are a number of things you can do to help ensure your well being.
- Take medications only as prescribed by your doctor.
- Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including those that were prescribed by another doctor and medications bought over-the-counter. Remember that herbal products, homeopathic remedies and vitamins can interact with some medications and should be treated like any other drug.
- Inform your medical team of any food or drug allergies or reactions that you have had in the past.
- Notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are pregnant, nursing or trying to become pregnant.
- Do not stop taking your medications without consulting your physician, even if you are feeling better.
- Report to your physician any medication side effects you may experience.
- Talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications or herbal preparations.
- Before taking over-the-counter medications, read the labels carefully. They may contain ingredients you do not want or should not take. Ask your pharmacist for help with selecting the right product.
- Make a list of all your medications and always carry it with you.
- Ask questions if you have doubts or concerns about your medications.
Questions to ask you doctor
You should have information about every prescription your doctor gives you. Here’s a checklist of questions to ask:
- The name, strength and form of the medication prescribed
- Why you are taking the medication
- When and how to take it
- What to do if you miss a dose
- How long you’ll be on the medication
- What to expect as side effects
- Whether the medication is in Blue Care Network’s formulary and whether a generic alternative is available
- Whom to contact with questions
Read more about ensuring the safe use of prescribed medications in our Guidelines for Medication Safety (83K PDF) brochure.
page modified 02/23/2009