Today is National Check Your Meds Day! Today is a day to really look at your medication(s), schedule a medication review with your pharmacist, and ask any questions you have about the medication you’re taking. Today’s blog will cover medication management resources, tips for taking medication as prescribed, questions to ask your doctor, and more.
Medication Management
Medication management may sound intense, but it means sitting down with a pharmacist to look over all medications and supplements to see if there are any medications that interact, are no longer working for you, or are causing unpleasant side effects. A great place to start asking about medication management is with your pharmacist. Other options are below:
- Ann Arbor Professional Pharmacy– offers monthly medication reviews. Call (734) 477-9006 for more information.
- Better My Meds– offers one-on-one medication management by phone or in your home. Call (734) 649-2270 for more information.
- Washtenaw County Community Mental Health– offers “medication assessments” where staff reviews your medications. Call (734) 544-3050 for more information.
Questions to Ask
The following questions are good to ask when you’re given a new prescription or during a medication management session with your pharmacist:
- What’s the name of the medication(s) I’ve been prescribed?
- Why did you prescribe this drug to me?
- What are the drug-free options for managing this issue?
- What can I take, or shouldn’t I take with these medications (food, drink, other medicine)?
- Are there any side effects I should watch for? What side effects should be reported immediately?
- Are there any precautions I should be aware of?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- Will the drug interact with other drugs I’m taking?
- Are there alternatives to taking this drug (generics, supplements, etc.)?
- Does the pill bottle come with a non-childproof cap or a cap that’s easier to access?
Taking Medication as Prescribed
- How Can You Make Sure You Take Your Medicine As Directed? Via Senior Resource Connect
- Sometimes you may need your medication in a different form than a pill to swallow:
- What are blister packs and are they worth it? Via Senior Resource Connect
- Ann Arbor Professional Pharmacy offers 30 days of medication using a DisPill system, so everything is in one place and can be taken at the right time.
Saving on Medications
- How To Save Money on Prescription Medications via Senior Resource Connect
Disposing of Medications
- Click here for a flyer from the State of Michigan
- How to (safely) dispose of medications via Senior Resource Connect
- Medication and Sharps Disposal via Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office & Public Works
- What to Do with Prescription Bottles via Recycle Ann Arbor