What about the Drugs?

Medications play a vital role in our physical upkeep, and for the most part are safe...but after working for a Class Action Attorney, who specialized in lawsuits pertaining to drug related injuries and death, I have found that these tips have helped immensely.

1. Everyone makes mistakes-before begininning a new medication, call your local pharmacist.  Pharmacists can be a wellspring of information, and as medications are their specialty, they play a vital role in keeping us safe.

2. Sometimes a new medication gives the direction of "at bedtime", in which most pharmacies are closed.  I do not endorse, and am not in any way associated with Walgreens, but there seems to be one on every corner.  http://www.walgreens.com/storelocator/find.jsp Even if there is not one in your area, you can find one on the list to call with questions.  They're pretty helpful, and it doesn't matter if your prescription was filled there or not. 

3. Call and ask for the pharmacist.  Tell them you've been prescribed a new medication, and have concerns about possible interactions or side effects.  Ask them about what to watch for, indications of a bad side effect-ie. rash, blurred vision, increased heart rate...there can be many.  Tell them what other medications you currently take-even over-the-counter meds like Aspirin or Benadryl.

4.Look before you leap!  When I arrive home with a new medication, I always log onto http://www.webmd.com/pill-identification/ to make sure that the pills in the bottle are the right ones.  Sometimes your insurance will insist that you be given a generic pill instead of a brand name.  This can get tricky, as generics come in all shapes and sizes.  This website allows you to enter shape, color and imprint.  It will list the brand names, and what the pill is for, and what dosage it is.

5. Crap, it's Saturday and my prescription for Thyroid pills has no refills.  Relax.  If it is a non-narcotic, the majority of pharmacies will give you an "emergency dose" to get you through until Monday, when they can contact your physician.  There's no harm in asking, and they are often free.

6. Insulin.  No refills on my insulin ,it's the weekend, and I don't have the cash to pay out of pocket (Many insurance companies will not cover even life-saving drugs without a prescription).  Call your clinic, if it's large enough, there will be a message with a number or a prompt to press 1 for the on-call physician.  The beauty of EMR, is that a doctor, even if it is not your own, can look up your record and call in a prescription on behalf of your doctor.  This can work on test strips and syringes as well.

7. You are in control of your health.  Do not let a doctor "bully" you into taking a pill.  If you feel uncomfortable, get a second opinion.  Research your options.  Make sure the pill is safe.

8. As mentioned in my previous blog, keeping a list of your medications, dosages, and frequency of use in your wallet is an amazing time saver.  When following number 3, you can easily read off the list instead of juggling multiple bottles.