Multiple Medications:
No Appointment Necessary

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Show 212

Dr. Lisa Thornton:

Communication between you and your healthcare professionals is essential to good medical care. And to preventing dangerous drug interactions. Here's some advice on what you need to tell your doctor as well as your pharmacist.

Christina Muller, PharmD, RPh:

If you're taking several medications, including over the counter medications, it's important to keep a current and complete medical history. And that you're open and honest with all of your healthcare providers, including your pharmacist. We not only fill your prescriptions, but we can also help you understand your medications so that you can use them safely and effectively. I recommend finding a pharmacy with a system that can accurately monitor your use of both prescription and non-prescription drugs. This protects you from possible drug interactions. Food, alcohol and supplements can interact with certain medications, which is why it's important to mention everything when you're talking to your pharmacist about a medication history. Medications should always be kept in the original containers. However, if you prefer to pill boxes, it's important to keep the bottles the medications came in, because of the important information listed on them. Select your pharmacy as carefully as you would select your doctor. Regardless of which pharmacy you choose, it's important that the pharmacist know all of the medications that you are taking. Keep all of your medical history up-to-date, so that your pharmacist can help keep you safe.