Dear Dr. Garner,
My husband and I each take about 12 pills a day for various health concerns. We go to a reputable pharmacy, but I’m always concerned about the potential for a medication mix-up.
How can we make sure we get the right pills when we go to the pharmacy?
Avoiding Medication Mix-Ups
In Midwood
Dear Avoiding Mix-ups,
In recent years, we have lost touch with neighborhood-based pharmacies due to the proliferation of large drug stores, so it is more important than ever to ask questions and take nothing for granted.
I have composed a list of ways to assure you of getting the correct pills. Here are 10 things you can do to stay safe:
1. Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions of your pharmacist. Part of that person’s job is to be a consultant.
2. Open the bag and look at the bottles or boxes that the pills come in. If anything looks different or unusual, or if you don’t understand something, speak up.
3. Look at the pills with the pharmacist before leaving, especially for a new prescription.
4. Always understand the drug’s purpose. Find out the benefits and potential problems by asking your doctor and/or your pharmacist.
5. Stick to one pharmacy. They will have a complete list of your medications that you can review with them.
6. When you bring in your prescription, carry a complete list of all the medications you are taking, and ask the pharmacist to see if it matches his or her list. You should also include over-the-counter medications.
7. When you get your pills, check to see that the directions are the same as what your doctor told you.
8. Ask your pharmacist about potential food, drug and alcohol interactions.
9. Ask your doctor if you should be taking any lab test to see how the medications are affecting you. This may include liver tests for people taking Lipitor or digitalis blood levels for those taking Digoxin.
10. You can use the Internet to view a picture of your pill and any inscription on it. A website, such as www.rxlist.com/pill-identification-tool/article, is a good example.
In addition to the above, ask your pharmacist about generic equivalent medications. They will look different from the brand-name pill, but most times will offer the same result at a cheaper price.
Many patients are required by their insurance companies to use mail-order pharmacies. Make full use of the consultative services offered by these companies. Once again, don’t be hesitant to call your pharmacist or insurance company if you have any questions.
The key to avoiding mix-ups is to become an informed patient. Know what medications you take and why you take them.
Patients often lament over the fact that the time they have to spend with their doctor each visit is less and less.
By being organized, you can make the most of your office visit with your doctor. And remember that your local pharmacist is an excellent back-up for any questions you might have.
I hope this helps allay most of your anxieties.[hr] Dr. Garner is a Fidelis Care provider who is affiliated with New York Methodist Hospital, Park Slope. He also hosts “Ask the Doctor” on The NET, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Channel 97 Time Warner and Channel 30 Cablevision.
