NeighborCare pharmacist Cherokee Layson-Wolf said the chance for a possible interaction between prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal concoctions, even vitamins, is very real. But there are steps you can take to minimize your risk.
“The easiest thing you can do is to have all your prescriptions filled by the same pharmacist or in the same pharmacy,” Layson-Wolf said. If you use a pharmacy consistently, your pharmacist will have a better chance of alerting you to potential problems, she said.
“At NeighborCare pharmacies, each patient’s prescription profiles are centralized—so the pharmacist in Towson will be just as aware of your medication list as the one in Pikesville,” Layson-Wolf said.
You may also request a printout copy of your patient profile to keep with you. Because of federal and state medical record privacy laws, you, or your legal guardian, must request this information personally.
This printout can be a starting point from which you track your own drug use. But while pharmacists can track all the medications you take that are physician prescribed, you are responsible for tracking any over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins or other supplements you take, Layson-Wolf said.
“Just because the drug is available over the counter doesn’t mean that it is safe,” she said. “You must be proactive.”
For example, St. John’s Wort, a popular herbal remedy used as an anti-depressant, may have undesirable interactions with a variety of prescribed drugs including birth control pills, chemotherapy drugs and those prescribed for high blood pressure or heart-related diseases. Also, two OTC drugs, such as Tylenol® and any cold remedy, both contain acetaminophen and may result in an unintended double dosage of pain medicine. Layson-Wolf suggests asking for a free medication card from your NeighborCare pharmacist to keep your own record. When you have a prescription filled, tell your pharmacist about any drugs you may be using including painkillers, cold medicines, vitamins or diet pills.
Pharmaceuticals are intended to make you feel better. With just a little precaution, your next trip to the pharmacy will be worry free. For more information on what’s in your medicine cabinet, see your NeighborCare pharmacist.
No one wants to be running off to the drug store in the middle of the night when you or someone at home is feeling sick. That’s why it pays to have a well-stocked medicine chest, complete with all the items you might need to treat those minor tummy aches, skinned knees or bug bites that are bound to occur.
To handle such emergencies on the road, keep a mini version of your medicine cabinet as a first aid kit in the glove compartment of your car, in your backpack, briefcase or purse. Items in bold are recommended must-haves for a portable first aid kit.
There’s no need to buy a pre-packaged kit or spend a fortune. Simply bring along this handy checklist to help you shop at the local pharmacy and you won’t miss a beat. Store your items in a plastic bag or a small waterproof, plastic storage container. You may not want to get everything on the list and your needs may be different depending on your age and the age of the people living in your home.
Periodically check the contents of both your cabinet and your first aid kit. If something looks like it’s getting used up, replace it. Toss out medications that are about to expire. Keep medicines out of the reach of children and, if possible, in a locked cabinet.
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Your Medicine Chest
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| For Fever, Pain Relief: |
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Acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen. (Those who take blood thinners should not take aspirin and those with kidney problems should not take aspirin or ibuprofen.) |
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Thermometer |
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Instant cold pack/hot pack |
| For Tummy Trouble: |
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Syrup of Ipecac to induce vomiting in case of poisoning. Call the Poison Control Center first to see if this is the right course of action for the poison ingested |
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Antidiarrheal pills or liquid |
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Antacid pills or liquid for
heartburn |
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Laxative – for constipation |
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Antiflatulent - for gas pain |
| For Wound Care: |
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Self-adhesive bandages |
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Sterile gauze pads |
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Triple antibiotic cream |
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Gauze roll |
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Adhesive tape |
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Small pair of scissors |
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Betadine or alcohol wipes |
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Cotton balls and swabs |
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Sterile saline, hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial spray to clean minor wounds |
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Tweezers for splinters |
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Burn cream |
| For Bites, Stings, Allergic Reactions: |
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Antihistamine, such as Benadryl for allergic reactions |
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Hydrocortisone/Calamine lotion - for rashes, poison ivy, stings |
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Topical anesthetic |
| For Coughs, Colds: |
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A cough suppressant/decongestant |
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Nighttime cold medicine, with or without alcohol |
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Throat lozenges |
| Other Useful Items: |
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Sunscreen, sun block and a sunburn treatment such as aloe vera gel |
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Ace bandage to immobilize sprains or possible broken bones |
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Eye wash kit |
Keep phone numbers for your physicians, hospital emergency room and other emergency personnel handy.
Call the Maryland Poison Control Center toll-free at 1-800-222-1222 or TDD 410-706-1858.
Sources: FamilyFun magazine, Web MD.
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