How to take medicines safely

What to ask your doctor

Be sure that you ask and understand the following about your medicines:

• What is the medicine's name?
• Why am I taking it?
• When do I take it?
• How much do I take?
• How long do I take it?
• Should I take it with food?
• What side effects are there?
• How many refills can I get?
• Are there any precautions I need to take?

How to buy medicine

• Have all of your medicines filled at one pharmacy.
• Call your pharmacy for refills at least one week before your prescription runs out. Also, plan ahead for vacations.

How to take medicine

• Take your prescription as directed.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If you do not remember to take it until it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule. Never double up on doses.
• Do not stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your medicines with anyone else. Do not take medicines prescribed for anyone else.
• If you are pregnant, please talk with your doctor before taking any medicines.

How to read the label

• Read the labels of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if the medicines are safe for you.
• Read the list of ingredients to make sure you do not have any allergies.
• Look at the expiration date. Do not take outdated medicines of any kind.

How to store medicine

• Store all medicines away from heat, light and humidity. Do not store medicines in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink.
• Keep all medicines (including herbals and vitamins) out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not keep outdated medicines.

Side effects of medicine

• Ask your doctor about potential side effects before you start taking the medicine.
• If you have any discomfort from your medicines, remember that these often go away in time. If, however, you have any severe or unusual reactions, call your doctor right away.

Tips for refilling your prescriptions

Here are some tips to help you get your prescriptions refilled.

Before an appointment

• Before your appointment, check your medicines to see if you need any refills. If you do, tell your health care provider at your appointment.
• If you will have enough medicine until your appointment, do not call for a refill. Your medicine may be changed when you go in for your appointment.

Prescription refills

When you need a prescription refill, please call your pharmacy. You do not need to call your clinic. Be sure to call the pharmacy two to three business days before you are out of medicine.

Stimulant or written prescription refills

If you need a stimulant prescription, or are calling for someone who needs a written prescription, call your clinic and leave a message on the nurse line with the following information:

• patient's name
• spelling of the last name
• patient's date of birth
• name of the medicine.
• phone number where you can be reached
• if the prescription will be picked up or if the pharmacy should mail it to the patient.

The clinic needs three to five days to get the refill written and signed.

Other tips

• Your prescription may be faxed to your pharmacy from your clinic. If you receive a paper prescription, be sure to take that with you to your pharmacy when you pick up your prescription.
• Your prescription may say "no refills." This can sometimes happen if a new order is received and the prescription number is different. The pharmacy may put the order on hold or in a file.
  You may still have refills available at your pharmacy. They will fill the new prescription when you call them for a refill. If needed, have them check your profile. If they do not have orders, they will call your clinic.
• Refills are not available after clinic hours.

If you have any questions about the medicines you are taking, please talk with your health care provider or your pharmacist.