How can I keep all my medicines straight?

As we age, we can find ourselves taking more medication than we ever would have thought possible. It’s not always easy to remember when, how and why to take each medication. Work with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure you take your pills the right way, and use the tips below to manage your medications at home.

• Keep a list of all your medicines in a safe place. Write down the name of each drug, the doctor who prescribed it and when and how much you are taking. Bring your list every time you see your doctor or pharmacist.
  
• Place pills in a pillbox to fill a week’s worth at a time, sorted into convenient compartments.
• Post notes around the house to remind you to take your medicines each day.
• Talk to your doctor about all the medicines, remedies and vitamins you use. Make sure you know what each medicine is for, how your doctor wants you to take it, what to do if you miss a dose and any side effects you should know about. Each time you visit, ask your doctor if you still need to be on all of your medicines.
  
• Make sure to include any medicines you buy without a prescription on your list. These are called over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. OTC drugs include things like cough syrups for colds and antacids for upset stomachs and are sometimes not safe to take if you are already on other medications.
• If you have difficulty reading the labels on your medicines, ask your pharmacist to use bigger type on the label. Often, this is a simple change to make.
• When leaving the pharmacy, always make sure the bottle has your name on it.

For more information or to speak with an expert on safe use of medicines, please contact us.

You’ll also find a full booklet on the subject at the National Institute on Aging.