Shelia Lewis: Smith County Extension

We know that taking our medications as directed is an important part of staying healthy. This involves understanding a little bit about drugs, in general, and how to talk to your doctor, pharmacist and other health providers who might prescribe medications. However, it also involves safely organizing and storing medications in addition to keeping good records about them.

Your doctor has prescribed a medication, the pharmacist has filled the prescription and now it is up to you to take it safely. Here are some tips that can help:

Take your medication in the exact amount and at the time your doctor prescribes.

Call your doctor if you have problems with your medication. Your doctor may be able to change it to a different one that will work better for you.

Avoid mixing alcohol and medication. Some medications may not work correctly or may make you sick it taken with alcohol.

Take your medication until it is finished or until your doctor says it is OK to stop taking it. For some medications, like antibiotics, it may be important to take all of the pills, even after you start feeling better. Remember not to share medications. Your medication was prescribed for you to treat your condition. Also, check the expiration dates on your medication bottles and throw away outdated medications.

Because of changes in vision, hearing, loss of strength in the hands and many other ailments that may accompany aging, older adults may have a hard time managing their medications once they get them home. For these reasons and others, you may want to purchase a pill sorter to help better manage your medications.

Some pill sorters allow for a 7-day supply of medication, and some hold a 7-day supply of medication with different slots for taking pills up to 4 times per day. Some pill sorters hold a month's supply of medication. No matter what type you choose, look for a few things before buying:

Is the print large enough for me to read?

Are the lids easy enough for me to open?

Does the pill sorter have enough slots for all the medication I take?

Does it come in different colors so I don't get my pills and my spouse's pills confused?

If you take your medication out of the childproof container, remember not to leave your medication on a kitchen table or counter where a young child may get into it.

You should always keep a list of medications you are taking, why you are taking each medication, and the dose for that medication. It is a good reminder for you and your doctor, especially if you have more than one doctor. In addition, this list can be invaluable in an emergency. Keep this list somewhere that is easily accessible in case of an accident, perhaps in the glove box of your car or on the front of your refrigerator.

You play a big part in making sure that you and your medications are safe. Remember, medications that are strong enough to help you can also be strong enough to hurt you if they are not used the right way.


This information was researched and provided for consumer education by Andrew Crocker, gerontology health specialist. Shelia Lewis is a Smith County Extension agent in family and consumer sciences. She can be reached via e-mail at sklewis@tamu.edu.

You can do this by keeping a list of your prescription and non-prescription medications, keeping that list up-to-date and making sure to take that list with you to any doctor's visits. Also, remember to take your medications as prescribed and not to share them. And last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any problems you have with your medications.













Many different agencies and organizations can give you a medication record. No matter where you get your record, or if you make it up yourself, it should have a few basic parts:

It should clearly be identified as YOUR medication record. Be sure it contains your name and phone number.

It needs to have the date it was last updated. It is important to keep your list of medications up-to-date, always making changes when a new dose is given, when you stop or start a medication, etc.

List your allergies to food and drugs. This information may make a difference in what your doctor wants to prescribe for you.

Make a complete list of everything you take, both prescription and non-prescription, including the dose you take, how often you take it, what the pill looks like, why you take it, the doctor who prescribed it and any special instructions.

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Shelia Lewis
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