If you’ve ever wondered whether you took your multivitamin or forgot the last dose of your antibiotic, you can understand how easy it is to make a medication mistake. But for older adults who are taking multiple medications for different health issues, it can be even more challenging to keep track of medications. And mistakes can have serious consequences.
Julia Rutkouskaya, a geriatric care pharmacist at Torrance Memorial Health, highlighted a few common issues in managing multiple medications and provided strategies to reduce the risk of complications.
Question: How can I avoid missing medication doses or double-dosing?
Answer: Using a pillbox with daily morning, noon and night compartments can help you avoid double-dosing. However, it is possible to use a pillbox and still forget to take your medication. I recommend tying your medication regimen to your daily routine, such as taking morning pills with breakfast or taking evening pills after you brush your teeth. You can also set an alarm on your phone to remind you to take medications.
Q: How can I manage medication side effects?
A: It’s important to understand what medication you’re taking, why you’re taking it and what interactions or side effects could be a cause for concern. Do not skip the consultation with your pharmacist when picking up your medication. Take a few minutes to learn about the most common side effects, what to expect when starting the medication and when you should contact your doctor.
Q: What can I do to avoid drug or food interactions?
A: Most medication bottles come with stickers that tell patients whether they should take medications with or without food, or if they should avoid consuming certain items such as grapefruit or dairy. To reduce the risk of interactions with other medications, keep a list of medications to share with each of your doctors—including specialists, dentists and other health care providers—and fill all prescriptions at the same pharmacy, if possible. Ask your doctor when you should take each of your pills, and use a pillbox and alarm to ensure that you take medications at the proper time to optimize safety and effectiveness.
Q: How should I store and dispose of medication?
A: Medications should be stored in a cool, dry place that is out of reach of children and pets. If you stop taking a medication, store it separately so you do not take it by mistake. Medications that are expired or no longer needed should be disposed of at an official drug take-back event. The next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the Torrance Police Department, will be held April 25 at Sam’s Club, 2601 Skypark Drive in Torrance, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Only certain medications that are commonly misused or abused should be flushed if a take-back option is not readily available, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Examples include fentanyl, morphine and oxycodone. For most other medications, flushing is not recommended unless the label or pharmacist specifically instructs you to do so.
Q: What are some medication red flags that warrant a call to my doctor?
A: Any new symptoms that appear after starting or changing a medication—including fainting, mood changes, breathing problems, nausea, vomiting or dizziness—should be reported to your doctor. You should also contact your doctor if you take a double dose of medication.
