We all want to feel our best, and keeping track of our medicines is a big part of that. If you’ve ever wondered whether your medications might be causing unexpected side effects or if you’re juggling more than one prescription, you’re in the right place. Managing your medications doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, and with a few simple tips, you can confidently take control of your health.
Your Health, Your Way: Managing Medications at Home
Taking care of yourself starts at home. Here are a few ways you can easily stay on top of your medication routine:
- Are you confused by the instructions? Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for clarification. They’re there to help you understand what’s best for your health.
- Use the NHS App to order your repeat prescriptions online. No more trips to the pharmacy just to reorder—handle everything from the comfort of your home.
- Do you sometimes forget? It happens to all of us. A dosette box or a medication management app on your smartphone can make remembering what to take and when much easier.
- Declutter your medicine cabinet. Don’t keep outdated prescriptions lying around. It’s safer, and you won’t accidentally take something you no longer need.
Keeping an Eye on Your Health
Your body gives you clues on how well your medications are working. Keep track of key health stats like your weight, blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels. Start a wellness diary to note how you’re feeling daily. These little steps can make a big difference in monitoring how your medication and healthy lifestyle choices work for you.
When You Visit the Doctor: Be Your Own Advocate
It’s important to get the most out of every doctor’s visit. Here’s how:
- Don’t leave with questions. Before your appointment ends, ask your doctor to explain how and why you’re taking each medication. Jot down any important notes.
- Medicine review? Yes, please! Ask for a review of all your medications every year to ensure they are still necessary and working as they should.
The Pharmacy: Your Go-To Support
Your pharmacist is a fantastic resource; whether checking that you’re taking your medication correctly or helping with side effects, this service can be a game-changer. Here are a few more reasons to check in with your pharmacist:
- Struggling with side effects? They can suggest alternatives or tips to make your meds more manageable.
- Need reminders? Many pharmacies can pre-package your medications in a dosette box so you’ll know exactly what to take and when.
- If you’re prescribed a medicine to treat a long-term condition for the first time, you may be able to get help and advice about your medicine from a local pharmacist. This is done through a free new medicine service (NMS) scheme.
- Or you can ask for a Structured Medication Review from your GP Practice (see the video below)
What’s Polypharmacy?
You may have heard this term before if you’re on several medications. Polypharmacy is when you’re taking multiple pills at once, which can sometimes lead to interactions between them. Don’t worry—this is common but also something to watch. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure everything you take is safe and effective.
Worried about too many medicines – ask your GP Practice for a Structured Medication Review [SMR]
A structured medication review is a confidential consultation carried out by your GP, or a pharmacist or advanced nurse practitioner from your local primary care network, with full medical notes. The objective is to agree with you about your medicines, optimise the impact of the medicines you’re taking, reduce the number of problems you might have with them, and reduce waste.
They also allow you to voice any worries, thoughts, or suggestions about your prescribed treatments. It’s also a chance to take advantage of clinical insight and advice from a medical professional, who may have some valuable suggestions for you to consider.
Falling and Dizziness: A Hidden Risk
If you’ve ever felt a bit unsteady, it could be a sign that your medications aren’t working well together. Dizziness is often a side effect of polypharmacy, and falls can be serious. Stay safe by reviewing your medications regularly and asking for help if you notice anything unusual.
Struggling and worried about medicine interactions?
If you are really struggling with how your medicines are making you feel, and you would like to check drug interactions for yourself, some websites in the USA provide a free drug interactions report.
Safety first:
- This is very important: do not change the medications you are taking without speaking to your GP first
- Secondly, please note this website, drugs.com, is maintained free by health professionals in the USA. They have designed it for use in America only, it’s not licensed for use in the UK.
- Bear in mind that your GP may not have heard of it.
Having said that, it’s very simple to use. Just enter the medicines you are on, typing in one name at a time, and then press ‘check.’
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