NYC Poison Control Center

Medicines: Use Them Safely

• The way your body reacts to medicines may change as we get older. It is important to understand these changes.



• It is important to know about drug interactions if you take more than one medicine (prescription, nonprescription, herbals,
  vitamins and minerals).



• Some medications can cause dizziness or mental fogginess which
  can make unintentional poisonings
  or falls more likely.

See You Can Take Medicine Safely
Other languages: [Español][中文]

• DO take medicine in the exact amount and on the same schedule prescribed by your health care provider.
• DO always ask your health care provider about the right way to take any medicine before you start to use it.
• DO always tell your health care provider about past problems you have had with medications, such as rashes, indigestion, dizziness, or not feeling hungry.



• DO keep a daily record (Español, 中文) of all the medicines you take. Include prescription and non-prescription medications including herbals, vitamins and minerals that you regularly take. Note the name of each medicine, the provider who prescribed it, the amount you take, and the times of day you take it. Keep a current copy in your wallet or pocketbook.
• DO review your medication record with the health care provider and pharmacist at every visit and whenever you are prescribed a new medicine. New information about medicines may be available that might be important to you.



• DO call the Poison Control Center with questions about your medicines at 1-800-222-1222 or 212-764-7667. Registered pharmacists and nurses certified in poison information are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Translator services are available.



• DO use one pharmacy for all your medicines. This will help your pharmacist identify possible drug interactions.
• DO check the expiration dates on your medicine bottles. Call the Poison Center to find out the best way to get rid of your medicine after it expires.
• DO call your health care provider right away if you have any problems with your medicines.

• DO NOT stop taking a prescription medication unless your health care provider says it's okay--even if you are feeling better. If you are worried that the medicine might be doing more harm than good, talk with your health care provider. He or she may be able to change your medicine to another one that will work just as well.
• DO NOT take more or less than the prescribed amount of any medicine.
• DO NOT mix alcohol and medicine unless your health care provider says it's okay. Some medications may not work well or may make you sick if taken with alcohol.
• DO NOT take medications prescribed for another person or give yours to anyone else.

Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider

• What is the name of the medicine and what will it do?
• What is the purpose of the medicine (symptom relief, prevention or cure)?
• How often should I take it?
• When should I take it? As needed? Before, with, after, or between meals? At bedtime?
• How long should I take it?
• If I forget to take it, what should I do?
• What side effects might I expect? Should I report them and to whom?

Resources

• The New York City Poison Control Center offers
  treatment advice about poisonings inside and outside the home. You can also call with questions about your medicines 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Call 800-222-1222 or 212-POISONS (212-764-7667). Translator services are available. Calls are free of charge and confidential.



• NYC DOHMH information and resources about Preventing Falls in Older Adults.



• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Consumer Affairs Office has more information about safe use of medicines. Contact the FDA at 5600 Fishers Lane, HFE 88, Rockville, MD 20857, or http://www.fda.gov/.



• The National Institute on Aging (NIA) distributes a free booklet, Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People. To order this booklet or other free materials on health and aging, contact the NIA Information Center, P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057, or call: 1-800-222-2225, or 1-800-222-4225 (TTY).