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You are here: Home / Archives for Health Concerns / Medications

Medications

Are you on Medication?

By Barbara Phillips, NP 2 Comments

hospice.jpgWhen a new patient comes to my clinic, I ask them to list all their medications, including any over-the-counter medications, herbal and vitamin supplements they may be taking. Often times, they don’t know.

While I understand that it’s sometimes difficult to remember everything, I cannot tell you how important it is to your health and safety for you to know what you are taking and communicate that list to your own provider, the hospital or emergency personnel.

Let’s say you suddenly show up in the ER and are unconscious. Medical personal are not going to know what kind of medication you take or what your health problems are. This could be dangerous as they will be treating you somewhat blinded. As we all know, various medications should not be combined. But how will anyone know?

In our clinic, I have cards I give out to all my patients and encourage them to write down everything, each and every medication, and carry it with them at all times.

Here is a medication list I designed for you.  It has your information, your providers information, allergies and a place for you to list all your medications, why you are taking them, and how often. Feel free to download it, fill it out and carry it in your wallet or purse at all times. Keep it updated with new medications, or remove medications you are no longer taking.

Let me know how it works for you.

Filed Under: Medications Tagged With: medication list, Medications

Wrong Medications – Protect Yourself!

By Barbara Phillips, NP Leave a Comment

Are you taking the wrong medications? A study published in The Lancet in 2007 points to various problems in the use of medicationsMedications in Pharmacy specifically appropriate drug use. This includes things such as

  • Being prescribed medications that are not needed.
  • Medications are given in inappropriate doses – that includes under prescribing medications.
  • Being given the wrong medications

Here is some information on safe medication practices including questions to ask that may protect you are your loved ones.

The more medications you are on the more likely you are to have medication interactions that could pose a problem to you.

Here is a real life example. [Read more…] about Wrong Medications – Protect Yourself!

Filed Under: Medications Tagged With: medication list, Risk factors

Drug Ads Targeting Women Called Health Hazard

By Barbara Phillips, NP Leave a Comment

An article in todays Women’s eNews starts out with the statement: “Women are frequent targets of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical ads, which have helped fuel a boom in drug sales over the past decade. Critics say their gender focus is often misleading and can pose a hazard to women’s health.”

As a health care provider, I’ve always been concerned about these ads. I cannot tell you how many men and women have come into the office asking for something they have seen on TV. Because I don’t watch TV, I have to figure out what the “gotta go pill” is and then explain why it is or (far more often) is not a good idea for that person. And then in most cases, these pills are not covered on this persons insurance plan or it is covered…but on the highest tier – usually 50% of the cost.

Interestingly, these direct-to-consumer ads are banned in ALL countries of the world except New Zealand and the US.
I’m all for consumer education and for consumers taking charge of their health care. It’s just not as easy and advertising a “purple” pill.

What do you really think of these ads? Feel free to leave your comment.

Filed Under: General Health, Medications

Medications and You

By Barbara Phillips, NP 1 Comment

A recent study confirmed what many of us have known for years…those of us that are older are more at risk for medications errors.

It makes sense. Think about it. Who takes the most medications, sees the most providers, has the most test, and tend to have more health concerns? In addition to all that is the issue of how our bodies function as they get older. For example, the metabolic processes in the kidney may not be what they use to be.

This is an issue I see on a daily basis – and it confirms for me the importance of having a primary care provider. As such, I get reports from specialists and see what they have prescribed or recommended. I also request that people put ALL the medications they are taking into a bag and bring them into their appointment. This includes over the counter medication. I’m amazed at how many people take too much tylenol (which is hard on your liver) for example.

So what can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones?

  1. If you don’t have a primary provider – get one. While I am biased toward Nurse Practitioners, the choice is up to you. Just find one you are comfortable with.
  2. Choose a primary pharmacy. When you get all of your medications from one pharmacy, they are much more likely to detect problems before they occur.
  3. Whenever you visit a health care provider – be it a specialist, the ER, etc…make sure they know what medications you are taking.
  4. Create and carry with you a list of ALL medications, nutritional supplements, herbs and over-the-counter medications you take. Include in this list any allergies along with what reaction you have.
  5. Unless your health condition dictates otherwise (and your provider would have told you), keep your body hydrated…drink lots of water.

Your best bet of course is to avoid unnecessary medication all together. Eat right, exercise daily, and stay healthy!

(c)2006 Barbara C. Phillips, NP

Filed Under: General Health, Medications, Staying Healthy

Your Medications

By Barbara Phillips, NP Leave a Comment

It was a long day in the clinic today…one of those days when you just come home drained. Thinking back over the day, I realized why some of it was so time consuming.

I saw several people today who were new to the practice. ONLY one of them brought her current medications WITH her! Another one could not even tell me the names…only the general idea of what she was one. Another would give me a list and then change her mind…she did this three times! Another person I finally had to tell her she just needed to reschedule her appointment and this time come with a print out of her medications from the pharmacy.

For your own safety and well being, it’s essential that you know what medications you are taking, how you are suppose to take them, why you are taking them, and who prescribed them.

Additionally, when you go and see a new health care provider, take or medications or write them down clearly. Include the name of the medication, the dosages, why you are taking it and how long you have been taking it. It’s great to get the information that way…I can just make a copy and put it into your chart.

And if you visit our clinic, and have done this…I’ll owe you a BIG hug!

Barbara

Filed Under: General Health, Medications, Staying Healthy

Medication Tips, Part 2

By Barbara Phillips, NP Leave a Comment

Keep an up to date list of your medications with you at all times.

It is your responsibility to learn the names of your mediations and why you are taking them.

Most likely your provider does not know what you mean by the “little pink pill” or the “white capsule”. There are literally dozens of each.

Do you really need all that medication in the first place?

The best advice I can give you is to put everything into a bag and take it with you to your appointment.

Make sure that you and your provider are on the same page when it comes to medications/supplements that you are taking. This is especially true when you are seeing more than one prescribing provider. You may have duplicates that you are unaware of.

Always ask…”do I really need this?”

Barbara C. Phillips, MN, NP
OlderWiserWomen.com

Filed Under: Medications

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