Taking medication safely

Here are some ways to make sure you take the right pill at the right time and learn what you should know about your medications.

When visiting your general practitioner or going into hospital, take with you all the medications you are currently taking, or a list of them.

Make sure you understand exactly what each medication is, how often you need to take the drug and why you're taking it, and when you should stop, or return for a review.

You can ask for all your medications to be reviewed from time to time to ensure they still meet your needs.

 Right pill, right time?

• To help you to remember which drugs to take when, a range of pill dispensing devices are available. Talk to your GP or pharmacist about getting one that suits your needs.

• Choose a day of the week or a time of day to put the proper pills in the proper compartments of your pill case.

• Set alarms to go off when it is time to take the next pill(s).

• If you always take certain pills with meals, put them by your place setting before the meal starts.

Reading the label

Many labels follow a regular format to help you compare and choose medications wisely. Terms appear in this order:

Active ingredient the medication that works to relieve your symptoms — usually expressed in milligrams (mg).

Uses also called indications

Warnings does and don'ts

Directions when, how and how often to take the medication

Other information including how to store it

Inactive ingredients. 

Making changes

If you think your pharmacist has given you the wrong medicine, or has dispensed the wrong strength or quantity of medicine, you should discuss your concern with your pharmacist first.

• Consider keeping a journal where you record your prescriptions and dosages and keep track of changes and how you responded to them.

• Be aware of possible effects and side effects.

• Always read the package information on new medications. If you find a drug interaction with something else you are already taking listed, call your doctor

• When you start a new drug, change to a similar drug from a different manufacturer, or have a dosage change pay attention to how you feel and behave for a few days to a week in case of adverse reactions.

• Keep the old pill container (and a pill if you can) until you receive your next refill so you can compare the drug name, colour and shape, manufacturer, dosage and instructions. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you do not understand why something has changed.

Safety

•  Keep all medicines in a safe place and keep ones that need chilling in the fridge.

• Throw out (securely, wrapped in your rubbish) or return to your pharmacist any that have expired or you no longer require.

• Remember that if you have children visiting your house, medicines need to be stored in a high and preferably locked cupboard. Move medications normally kept by your bed or in your handbag. Child-proof caps are available from your pharmacist and cupboard or fridge child-proof locks are available from baby equipment shops and some chemists.

Cost

Paying for your prescription: See our information on prescription changes, being added to this website soon.

Resources

Pharmac

The government's pharmaceutical buying agency has information on the subsidised drugs available in New Zealand and information on their use.  >VISIT

Medsafe

The New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority has information on medicines for consumers. > VISIT

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) sheets are available on the Medsafe site.

The Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring

(CARM) collates information and reports on people experiencing adverse reactions to prescription medicines in New Zealand. > VISIT

Lifetubes

Many Age Concern councils have lifetubes available: these detail your medication needs in a place where emergency services or supporters can find them. More information > HERE.