Thunder Bay District Health Unit : Safe Medication Use

People over 65 make up 12% of the population and consume approximately 40% of prescription medicines. 70% of seniors are known to use over the counter medicines without discussing it with their doctors. Approximately 25% of all patients age 50 years and over, admitted to hospital are hospitalized because of adverse drug reactions. At age 50 many people start using medicines on a regular basis.

Do a personal Risk Assessment

Studies show that older adults use more prescription medicines than any other age group. Older adults are also consumers of more over-the-counter medicines and increasingly are using herbal remedies. As we age our bodies do not metabolize medicines as efficiently, this makes the elderly more prone to medication related problems.

· Medicine Cabinets

· Knowing your medication

· Medication Risks

· Keeping Track

· Medicine Storage

· Alternatives to Medication Use

Medicine Cabinet Clean up

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit encourages seniors to Clean Out their Medicine Cabinets. A convenient reminder is to make it part of your spring-cleaning effort. Over time medicines, both prescribed and over-the-counter can accumulate in homes and pose a risk to the health and safety of family members. Some of these medicines may be long past their expiry dates and are no longer safe. Safe disposal of these medicines is essential.

Seniors are advised to gather up all their medications (prescription, over-the-counter and herbal remedies) and then take them to their pharmacist or other health care provider for review and safe disposal of out-dated and unused items. Because of environmental concerns medications should not be discarded in the garbage or flushed down the toilet.

Knowledge is the best medicine

The public needs to make sure they understand how to take their medication. They should be asking a number of questions of their health care provider:

· What is the name of the drug? Has it got another name?

· What is it for? How will it help me?

· How often should I take the medicine?

· When should I take it? For how long should I keep taking it?

· Are there any foods restricted while on this medicine?

· Should I take it with food?

· What should I do if I miss a dose?

· Are there any side effects to this medicine?

· Who should I talk to about my medicines?

· How should I store my medicines?

· Is there any activity I should avoid when I take this medicine?

· Will it interact with other medicines I am using?

Medication Risks

Any of the following can put seniors at risk for experiencing problems with medication use:

· Prescription from more than one doctor

· Use of more than one pharmacist

· Use of more than one medication at the same time

· Self-medication with over-the- counter remedies

· Self-medication with herbal remedies

· Use of alcohol while on medication (some can be a dangerous mix)

· Sharing medications

· Using old and outdated medicines

· Stop taking medicines without discussing it with your doctor

Keeping Track of Your Medications

Some seniors take more than one medication at a time. Mixing medications, taking too much medication, or missing doses can cause serious problems. If you need help keeping track of your medications, there are different methods to keep on top of things.

· Dosette are plastic containers, which have separate compartments for each day of the week and for times of the day. These can be used to keep track of medications for a week. You will know by looking at the container if you have missed a dose. If you do not feel comfortable filling the container, ask a family member, friend or nurse to help.

· There are also gadgets now on the market, that once programmed will beep to remind you that it is time to take your medications.

· Blister Packs - you may ask your pharmacist to dispense all your medications in blister packs. The amount and combination of medications will be dispensed for specific times of the day in each blister. All you would then have to do is open the blister and take the medications for that day and time. You will know by looking at the blister packs, if you have missed a dose. A supply of about two weeks of medications is usually dispensed each time. Some pharmacist will charge an initial dispensing fee.

Storage of medications

Medications should be stored in a cool dry place out of the reach of children.

Keep medications in their original containers.

Throw out after expiration date. Take unused medication to our pharmacist for disposal.

The kitchen and bathroom are too moist and warm. The linen closet may be a good place. Some medications require special storage e.g. in dark bottles or the fridge; follow the instruction from the pharmacist.

Some alternatives to medication use

Heartburn | Sleeping | Constipation

Heartburn and indigestion: If you experience heartburn or bloating after you eat, try:

· Not eating spicy foods

· Small frequent meals

· Stopping or reducing intake of coffee, cola type drinks, chocolate and sugar because they make too much acid in the stomach

· Not having anything with peppermint-gum, candy, tea

· Avoid eating too late at night

· Using extra pillows, so that your head is higher than the rest of your body

· Stop smoking

· Keeping alcohol use to a minimum

Sleeping problem if you have difficulty fall and staying asleep:

· Go to bed and get up at the same time each day

· Do not read or watch TV in bed, if you can't sleep get up and do something else. Then go back to bed.

· Get out in the fresh air each day

· Exercise regularly - walking, dancing, exercise classes, yoga, tai chi, golfing etc

· Do some light reading, listen to relaxing music and/or take a warm bath before going to bed

· Do not do strenuous exercises before going to bed

· Do not nap during the day

· Do not eat spicy foods in the evening

· Do not drink coffee, cola type drinks and chocolate in the late afternoon and evening

· Do not drink alcohol in the evening , it will keep you awake

Constipation, if you have difficulty going to the bathroom (having a bowel movement):

· Eat foods high in fibre such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole wheat bread, prunes, and bran cereals

· Drink plenty of fluids - 6 to 8 glasses of water per day

· Do some exercise or walk every day

· Do not use laxatives if possible, too much use causes the bowels to become lazy and always requiring laxatives to function