Taking several prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, or supplements can make it harder to track doses, side effects, interactions, and duplicate ingredients.
A medication review with a pharmacist or clinician can help identify questions and simplify the plan when appropriate. Never stop or change prescribed medicine on your own.
Build a Complete Medicine List
Include every prescription, over-the-counter medicine, vitamin, supplement, inhaler, eye drop, cream, and medicine taken only as needed.
For each item, record the name, strength, dose, schedule, reason, prescriber, and pharmacy.
Why Reviews Matter
A review may identify duplicate medicines, conflicting instructions, medicines that affect balance or alertness, side effects, interactions, unnecessary therapy, dose concerns, and cost barriers.
Only a qualified professional should decide whether a medicine should change.
Where to Ask
Try a primary-care clinic, pharmacist, community health center, geriatric clinic, Medicare annual wellness visit, hospital discharge follow-up, or medication-therapy-management service.
After a Hospital Visit
Ask for a written list showing medicines to start, stop, or change; temporary medicines; follow-up tests; and which clinician will monitor each medicine.
Warning Signs
Seek prompt help for new dizziness, falls, confusion, excessive sleepiness, unusual bleeding, severe vomiting, rash, swelling, or trouble taking medicines correctly.
Call 911 for trouble breathing, facial or throat swelling, or unresponsiveness.
Cost Questions
Ask about generics, lower-cost covered alternatives, 90-day supplies, Medicare Extra Help, manufacturer assistance, community health-center pharmacies, and lower formulary tiers.
Do not split pills unless a pharmacist or prescriber confirms it is safe.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Medicines
- FDA: Drugs
- DailyMed
- Medicare: Medication Therapy Management
- HRSA: Find a Health Center
This article is for general information only and is not medical or pharmacy advice.