Medication Management

Medications and You

Know your medications and how to take them

Goals for Optimal Medication Management Create a system that helps

you remember to take your medications

Carry an up-to-date list of all your medications

Discuss any medication concerns with your health care team

Understand what your medications are for and how to take them

Results of Mismanagement• Emergency department

visits– Drug safety issues make

older adults 2x more likely to end up in the emergency department

– 700,000 ER Visits are due to adverse drug effects

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1287308/more_prescriptions_cause_greater_confusion_for_seniors/#WfDyXjTBVQ4VKAuM.99http://www.cdc.gov/medicationsafety/basics.html

Results of Mismanagement

Hospital admissions– Common factor for

hospital readmissions– 120,000

hospitalizations are due to adverse drug effects annually

http://www.cdc.gov/medicationsafety/basics.html

Results of MismanagementNursing home admissions

– Medication non-adherence accounts for nearly one-fourth of nursing home admissions

•http://adultmeducation.com/index.html

Reducing Medication Mismanagement

•Adherence•Communication

Pill Boxes

Notebooks

Reminder Notes

Take your blood pressure medicine!

Caregiver Assistance

Adherence Aides

Reminder Phone Calls

SmartPhone Applications

Storage of Medications• Review storage information on

prescriptions (ex: insulin)• Do not store medications in the

bathroom• Keep each family members’

medication separately to avoid mixups• Keep medications out of reach from

children and pets• Check expiration dates routinely and

throw out medications past their dates• Keep narcotics in a safe place and out

of the hands of children and misusers.

Disposal of Medications

• Poison Help Line = 1-800-222-1222• Throw out expired and/or

discontinued medications– Take-Back boxes at police

department (Thurmont, Brunswick)

– 110 Airport Drive (police mall)– 100 West Patrick St (court house)

• FDA recommends flushing small number of medications (see separate list)

Reducing Medication Mismanagement

•Communication

Medication List

• Include all prescriptions, over-the-counters, herbals, and supplements

• Keep up-to-date• Carry list at all times

(wallet, phone)• Share with all health

professionals including your pharmacist and physicians

• Ask doctors to print onefor you, especially after medication changes.

Prescription Medications• Try to use one pharmacy.• Be careful of automatic refills.• Be aware of proper time and use.• Look for capsules or tablets that

differ from others in the container.

• Do not combine bottles.• Review all your medicines yearly.• Do not take medicine in the dark.• Do not share prescription

medications.

Read Your Labels

Over the Counter (OTC) Medications• Know which OTCs can cause

problems with your medications and disease states: – Pain medicine, laxatives,

cold medicines, and antacids

• Compare the active ingredients in OTCs:– Many drugs contain the same

active ingredient.– It is easy to take more than is

safe

• Unsure? Ask the pharmacist

Medication Questions to Always Ask1. What is the name of the medication?2. What is the medication for?3. How and when do I take the medication?4. How long do I need to take the medication?5. Do I need to stay away from any food, drinks, other

medicine, or activities while I take this medication?6. Are there any side effects?7. What do I do if side effects occur?8. Is there any special monitoring for this medication?9. If I can’t afford the medication, what help is available?10.Where can I find out more about the medication?

Managing the Cost of Medications

• Know your health plan’s pharmacy benefits

• Know your preferred pharmacy

• Community pharmacy

• Mail order pharmacy

Affording medications

• Inquire about lower cost alternatives• Ask for samples• Know your preferred pharmacy• Goodrx.com

– Compares pharmacy costs and provides medication coupons

• Needymeds.org– One stop site for manufacturer coupons

and patient assistance applications• Medicare recipients

– Reassess insurance plan every year– Check into eligibility for Extra Help

Community Resources

• Helping with Cost of Medications– Religious Coalition

27 Degrange Street Frederick, MD 21901 301-631-2670 Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Friday 10am-

2pm Tuesday 10am-4pm

Community Resources

• Helping with Cost of Medications– Mission of Mercy 22 South Market Street Suite 6D Frederick, MD 21701 301-682-5683 www.amissionofmercy.org

– Community Action Agency 100 South Market Street

Frederick, MD 21701 301-600-1506

Community Resources

• Helping with Cost of Medications for those with Medicare Part D– Department of Aging 1440 Taney Avenue Frederick, MD 21702 301-600-1605 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm

Community Resources

Your Community Pharmacist

Community Resources

Professional services

Community Resources

Care Coordinators

Community Resources

Prescribers

Internet Resources

Information about taking medications•http://www.cdc.gov/MedicationSafety/Adult_AdverseDrugEvents.html•http://adultmeducation.com/index.html•http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm164616.htm•http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/EnsuringSafeUseofMedicine/SafeDisposalofMedicines/ucm186187.htm#MEDICINES

Saving on medications•www.Goodrx.com•www.needymeds.org

Summary• Take medications as prescribed.• Don’t self treat, and don’t stop medications on

your own.• Store your medications safely.• Dispose of medications safely.• Create and carry an updated list of all

medications• Share your medication list • Know why your take your medications.• Talk to your health care team for concerns or

questions.

Questions