In his monthly column, Dr. Kent Herbert answers your questions related to health care matters. Simply submit your question to stefaniw@newfalconherald.com. It’s your chance to ask the doc.Question: How can I make sure I am taking medications safely?Answer: Medications are an important part of treating many health conditions, but they also can have significant risks. Learning to take them safely requires knowing what you are taking, how to take it and considering other options. Both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications are strong substances that can help the body but also have risks and side effects. By following a few simple principles, you can greatly reduce your risk and increase the effectiveness of your treatment.First, know your medication well. Every medicine has both a trade and generic name, and you should know both of these. Know what the medication does in your body, what the possible side effects are and what dose you take. It is a good idea to keep a list of your current medications with you at all times. Your doctor will look at this list when selecting a new prescription medication, and your pharmacist can consult if you need to add an OTC medication.With both prescription and OTC medications, it is important to use the smallest amount that works and to stay within the dosing guidelines. Certain medications, such as sleep and pain medication, can be addicting, and keeping your use to a minimum is critical. If a medication doesn’t seem to work, it is not always a good idea to take more of it; consult your doctor, as you may need to use something different or there may be something else going on. Other medications, such as antidepressants and allergy medications, will only work well if you take them every day, and some are designed for as needed use. Your doctor can tell you how your medication should be taken, and it is important to follow these instructions.It is also important to avoid mixing prescription and OTC medication of the same type. For example, some prescription medications are stronger versions of the same medicine that is available OTC; so mixing them can be harmful. This is usually fairly obvious, such as with Motrin 800 mg (prescription) and Motrin 200 mg (OTC). What is not obvious is when they are different medications in the same class, such as Celebrex, a daily prescription arthritis medication; and Motrin, which is also used for arthritis. Both are anti-inflammatory medications and should not be taken together. If you are taking a prescription medication for a particular purpose, ask your doctor what you can safely take if you have breakthrough symptoms.When taking a medication to treat a condition, don’t forget to use non-drug treatments as well. Whether it is for a headache, back pain, stress and anxiety, or sleep, it is very important to change behaviors and activities that make these problems worse. For example, many people today lead stressful, hectic lives that promote anxiety and sleep problems. Medication can help with these, but it is not appropriate to rely on medication alone. It is important to eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise and have positive social interactions as well. By doing so, one can reduce the amount of medication they need and often eliminate it altogether.Finally, get all of your medications from the same doctor, and fill them at the same pharmacy. Part of your doctor’s job is to look at your medications and select ones that don’t interact. Your pharmacist is trained to check for this as well. It can be very risky to seek medication from more than one doctor, as they don’t always know what others have prescribed. If you see a specialist or an emergency room doctor in addition to your primary care doctor, let your doctor know what the specialist has prescribed.Medications can be very useful for treating conditions and improving quality of life, but they have great risks as well. By following these principles and working with your doctor, you can minimize these risks and avoid serious complications. Remember, ultimately you are responsible for what medications you put in your body – whether they are prescription, OTC or even vitamins and herbal remedies – and you need to know them well.Dr. Kent HerbertBoard-Certified Family PhysicianFalcon Family Medicine7641 McLaughlin RoadFalcon, CO 80831(719) 494-2006(719) 494-8448 faxwww.FalconFamilyMedicine.com
