Medication Safety

Storage

Most medications can be stored safely at room temperature but some medications require refrigeration. Your medication will have a label that indicates the temperatures it can be safely stored at. If you accidentally leave your medication in a boiling hot car in the summertime or in a freezing car in the winter, your medication may not work as well. Store medications out of reach of children and be sure to use a safety cap on your medications. Many pharmacies have medication tops that can either be a safety cap or be reversed and used as a screw cap.

Take Your Meds On Time

To get the most benefit from your medications, take them on time as prescribed. Using a phone alarm as a reminder is one strategy to help you remember. Try taking your meds as a part of your routine, for example, put your morning medications by your toothbrush. Other strategies include using pillboxes or using a pharmacy that packages your medication in a blister pack labeled with the date and time.

Keep a Medication List

Keep a written list of the medications and supplements you are taking and know what they are for. Be sure to tell your health care provider about all of the medications, supplements, alcohol, tobacco & other drugs you are taking. Medications can interact with supplements, and alcohol & drugs; your health care provider needs this information to decide if it is safe to take the new medication. Your pharmacist and health care provider will check for any medication interactions. If possible, it is beneficial to use one pharmacy for your medications, that way your pharmacist knows about all of the medications you are taking.

Medications Have Two Names

Medications can be confusing because they have two names, a brand name, and a gene