Boomer Journeys

By Alex Carrier, Special Correspondent
Published: October 2, 2008

Prescription drugs, used properly, can help us live longer with greater quality of life.  Misused or abused, however, these same drugs can quickly go from health to harm. 
For 23 years, the National Council on Patient Information and Education has designated October as Talk about Prescriptions Month. This year’s theme is “Are You Medicine Smart?”
A simple questions but how many of us have really considered what we should know about the medicines we consume?  How many of us are actually “Medicine Foolish”?
Start learning more by collecting all your prescription drugs.  This includes those in their original containers and those you have stashed in your desk, your car, your pocket or purse. 
Divide everything (it will probably be much more than you suspect) into three piles: items you have used in the last 30 days, the last 90 days, the last year and the “I have no idea when or what I used this for” pile.
Do this for each person in your family.  If you have an elderly relative, give of your time to help them through this process.
Be sure to keep children and pets away from your work.  Drugs of great value to adults can be toxic to children and some human medications can kill animals. 
Have a method of disposal.  The Federal Drug Administration (http://www.fda.gov) offers guidelines for proper disposal of medications.  They do sometimes suggest flushing drugs but try to find and use a different, safer method of disposal.  Drugs poured down the toilet or sink dangerously pollute our water supply. 
You can also ask your local garbage department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital for instructions on medication disposal.  Many offer special programs to help consumers. 
Once you know how to dispose of your medications, throw out all expired drugs.  They may not necessarily be toxic but they may no longer be effective and you could be getting less than you need for your health.
Do not keep drugs with instructions to take until gone.  These are generally prescriptions (antibiotics are an example) requiring a specific amount of medication for safe and effective treatment. 
Once you have discarded all expired and partial prescriptions, check what remains.  Are drugs in their original containers?
Putting drugs into smaller containers may be necessary for travel and daily use but this practice often leads to “mystery medicine”.  Don’t guess at your health.  Dispose of anything you can’t identify and for which you have no expiration date.
Carefully examine the remaining medicines.  If any of the medicine has degraded (crystallized or separated liquids, pills that have started to crumble, capsules that are misshapen from melting), throw it out. 
Medicines are chemicals and temperature, humidity and light can cause chemical reactions that change the medication.  Your health and the health of your loved ones demand the best. 
Do you have the instructions for proper use of the drug?  Do you have information on adverse reactions or drug interactions?
Take the time to read the patient information for your medications.  If your doctor has added new medications to your routine, check to see if they interfere or react negatively with medications you are already taking. 
Make a list of all the medications you have, use and plan to use.  Make a separate list of all over-the-counter medications you take, all herbals, supplements and vitamins and your alcohol, caffeine and tobacco use. 
Then make a brown bag appointment with your pharmacist.  In a brown bag put your lists and any drugs you have questions about – in their original container if possible. 
Ask the pharmacists if anything you take or ingest can possibly react adversely with your medications.  Listen carefully and take notes. 
If the pharmacist identifies a problem, notify your physician.  Make a copy of your lists and give it to your physician.  Keep a copy for yourself.
Keep up the good work.  Properly store and take your medications.  Be honest with your doctor and yourself. 
Ask questions if you don’t understand and don’t stop until you do understand.  Notify your healthcare providers if you experience any difficulty with your prescription. 
Medicine only works well when used properly.  Be “Medicine Smart” by being an informed patient.