When taking care of yourself or a loved one, there are a number of simple steps that you can take to make sure that you are getting the most out of your medicine and the best care from your pharmacist. Stay with one pharmacist or one pharmacy Staying with one pharmacist or one pharmacy is the best way for you and your pharmacist to keep track of your care. Your prescription records and history are maintained in the pharmacy where the medications are filled and cannot be accessed by other pharmacies. By building a history of your medicine care at one pharmacy, your pharmacist can better understand your prescription history and look out for possible drug interactions or allergies with any new prescriptions, medicines or herbal products that you purchase at that pharmacy. Take all medications exactly as prescribed Many medicines have to be taken exactly and as directed by your pharmacist for them to have the proper effect. Be sure that you understand all instructions in taking your medicine and ask your pharmacist for more information or a demonstration in taking the medicine if you have any doubts. If you notice side effects or feel sick from taking the medicine, call your pharmacist or physician immediately for advice on what to do. Don’t be afraid to ask more questions Be sure that you have and understand all the information to take the medicine properly. Also make sure that your doctor and pharmacist answer all your questions. As a rule, you should know the following things for every medicine you take: What is the name of your medicine and what is it used to treat When and how often you should take the medicine How long you should be taking your medicine What you should do if you forget to take the medicine When and if you should notice the medicine taking effect (i.e. outcome) What, if any, special instructions there are for taking the medicine (such as food, drink or medicine container instructions) What side effects can occur in taking the medicine and how you can recognize the warning signs of certain adverse symptoms or dangerous side effects What to do if you experience any problems in taking the medicine How to store the medicine Remember, you can call the pharmacy once you are home if you realize that you have other questions that need to be answered. Make sure you feel comfortable taking your medicine Your health depends on your taking the medicine properly. Make sure you understand what the medicine is for and why you are taking it. If you do not feel that you will be able to take the medicine as prescribed, talk to your pharmacist. Get advice before you mix two or more prescription or non-prescription medicines or herbal products Many people believe there is little risk in mixing non-prescription medicines and herbal products. This is not true. There are many possible dangerous interactions between non-prescription and herbal products. Dangerous interactions can occur with common foods, and interactions are not restricted to just mixing prescriptions medicines. Let your pharmacist know if you find it hard to remember to take your medications Some medicines have complicated directions, and we all have had times when we forget to take our prescriptions as directed. Talk to your pharmacist if you find this happening. They can give you helpful advice on how to stick to your medication plan. Make your pharmacist and physician your most reliable source for information Don’t rely on information that you have read in the news or have been told by a friend or family member as medicines can affect different people in different ways. There are also over 2,000 different medicines on the market today and it is very difficult for an individual to know all the risks and interactions for each drug. Your pharmacist and doctor both maintain a lifelong learning program and have been trained to understand and get current information on all drugs so rely on them as your final source for information to help you decide what is best for you. Ask if you want privacy Many pharmacies now have private counselling areas, and if not, you can ask your pharmacist to schedule a time that you can talk in private about your care. Don’t alter or stop taking your medicine without talking to your pharmacist or doctor first Many people decide to stop taking their medicines because they either think it is “not working”, causing an allergic reaction, or is interacting with another medicine. However some medicines can cause serious side effects if you stop taking them suddenly. Don’t stop taking the medicine until you have talked to your pharmacist or doctor first (or unless they had previously advised you to stop if certain things occurred with your medicine or health). Find out how you can order your refills to avoid interruption With many medicines used to treat ongoing conditions (such as heart, asthma or diabetes medications) it is important that you get you refills from your pharmacist in advance to avoid any interruptions in taking the medicine. Your pharmacist may have to contact your doctor if your repeats have run out. Its best to order your prescription a day or two in advance.