Managing Drugs to Avoid Harmful Interactions

Many of us take multiple over-the-counter and prescription drugs that when combined could create harmful interactions. In fact, mature Americans over the age of 60 make up nearly 17 percent of the population but use more than 30 percent of all over-the-counter (OTC) drugs purchased in the U.S. And according to a recent survey by the Consumer Health Education Center (CHEC) and the Alliance for Aging Research, 30 percent of seniors use two to four OTC drugs a month, and the average senior takes three prescription drugs.

If you, or someone you know, are taking several drugs at the same time, CHEC recommends the following safety tips on how to safely manage drugs to reduce the risk of unwanted interactions:

  • Always read and follow the Drug Facts label. The OTC Drug Facts label has a number of different sections, including active ingredients, purpose, uses, warnings, directions, other information, and inactive ingredients. Each provides important information on what is in the drug, when to take it, and when not to take it.
  • Never take more than one drug with the same active ingredient unless specifically told to do so by your healthcare provider.
  • Choose products that treat only the symptoms you have so you take only those active ingredients you need.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider if taking an OTC drug becomes more than a temporary practice or if your symptoms do not go away.
  • Create a list of all the drugs you take and share it with your healthcare provider.
  • Tell your provider about your full medical history and eating habits.
  • Bring any questions you have to a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
  • Bring a family member or friend with you to your appointments to ask additional questions or to take notes.

-- Source: The Consumer Health Education Center


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