managing medication mayhem

Managing Medication Mayhem

Presented by:Laura Balsamini, Pharm D., BCPSand Gwen Egloff, Pharm D., BCPS

December 8, 2016

Objectives

• Explain the importance of knowing your medications and why you take them

• Improve medication adherence• Develop strategies to best manage

medications• Learn techniques to maintain an up-to-

date medication list

What you need to know!

• Name: Generic/Brand• Dose: How much? • Directions: How often?• Indication: Why you take them?• Duration: How long you will take them?• Side effects and how to manage

Reading a Prescription Label

Medication Adherence

“The extent to which a patient’s behavior, whether it be taking a medication or following lifestyle modification recommendations, corresponds with agreed-upon recommendations from a health-care provider”

Question # 1

What percent of patients DO NOT take their

chronic medications as prescribed?

Answer to Question # 1

50%

Medication Non-Adherence

• >25% of new prescriptions never filled• Up to 50% of patients don’t take their

chronic medication as directed• Worse outcomes

Up to 50% of treatment failures 125,000 deaths annually

• Higher cost to patient and healthcare $100 Billion per year in hospitalizations

Making Your Meds Affordable

• Consult your pharmacist!• Generics

Equivalent product at lower cost• Generic Combination Products

2 or more medications in one pill• Patient Assistance Programs• Coupons• Medicare Part D

Generic Medications• Cost 80-85% less than the brand• Same quality, purity, effectiveness,

performance• All FDA-Approved generic drugs must be

equivalent to the brand name drug Same active ingredient Same strength Same dosage form Same route of administration

Reduce Your Pill Count

• Generic Combination Products• Once daily doses• Minimum necessary medications

Reduce Trips to the Pharmacy

• 90-day Supply• Medication Synchronization

Patient Story

Question # 2

Raise your hand if you ever MISS doses of your

medication

Taking Your Medications Daily

• Pill Box• Unit-dose packaging• Automatic refill• Reminders

Alarms Calendar MyMeds

When to Take Medications

• Empty stomach• With food• Bedtime

Missed Doses

• Don’t panic!• Rule of thumb:

Take as soon as you remember If it is close to your next dose, skip the

missed dose Do not take 2 doses at the same time

• There are exceptions to this rule• When in doubt, call your pharmacist

Over-The-Counters

• Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays• Proton Pump Inhibitors• Oxybutynin Patch• Antihistamines• Histamine-2 Antagonists• Sleep Aids

Reading OTC labels

Question # 3

True or False?

The FDA guarantees marketed supplements are

both safe and effective.

Answer to Question # 3

FALSE!

Herbal Products

• FDA does not review for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed

Manufacturers are responsible to ensure safety

• Supplements can interact with prescription and OTC medications

• Check with your doctor before starting any supplement

Drug Interactions

• Grapefruit juice• Alcohol• Calcium/Magnesium• Herbals

Adverse Effects

• Allergies• Intolerance• Side Effect

Up-to-date Medication List

• Hand written list• Printed List from SMG Patient Portal• MyMeds Smart Phone App

Safely Storing Medications

• Store in secured location• Store in cool, dry place; avoid bathroom• Store in original container or pill box• Avoid storing medications for different

people in the same area• Clean out your medication closet

annually• Some medications require refrigeration

Discontinued Medications

• Tell your pharmacist• Update your medication list• Dispose of medication properly

Take-Home Points

• Maintain an up-to-date medication list • Bring medication list to all appointments• Consult your pharmacist before starting

any OTC medication or supplement• Medication adherence saves money

and lives• Consult your friendly pharmacist for

medication questions and concerns

Questions?