How you take your medication can be just as important as the medication itself. That’s because taking it improperly can reduce or altogether eliminate a drug’s ability to work. At Sunnybrook’s latest Speaker Series, Drug Safety: Just What the Pharmacist Ordered, experts in the field discussed how to get the most out of your medication.
Did you know: approximately one third of all prescriptions never even get filled! And studies have shown that there are also a significant number of abandoned prescriptions each year, meaning they get dropped off at the pharmacy but never picked up. While it may seem inconvenient to wait for your prescription, remember that your pharmacist is working hard during that time to make sure it’s filled properly, it’s safe to take with any other medications you are on, and that the proper labeling information is included.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if a medication has been prescribed to you:
- before you leave the pharmacy, talk to your pharmacist about your medication and how to safely take it
- always read your medication label and talk to your pharmacist if you have any questions
- if someone is helping you take your medication, they should wash their hands before and after, as well as wear gloves while handling the drug
- store your medications in a cool, dry place
- keep medications away from children and pets
- if your medication requires refrigeration, keep it in the middle of the fridge where there are fewer temperature fluctuations
- take old or expired medications back to the pharmacy for safe disposal
The next Sunnybrook Speaker Series will take place in September 2015. Please check our website for more details later this summer.
