Download - Managing Medication Mayhem
Managing Medication Mayhem
Presented by:Laura Balsamini, Pharm D., BCPSand Gwen Egloff, Pharm D., BCPS
December 8, 2016
Objectives
• Explain the importance of knowing your medications and why you take them
• Improve medication adherence• Develop strategies to best manage
medications• Learn techniques to maintain an up-to-
date medication list
What you need to know!
• Name: Generic/Brand• Dose: How much? • Directions: How often?• Indication: Why you take them?• Duration: How long you will take them?• Side effects and how to manage
Reading a Prescription Label
Medication Adherence
“The extent to which a patient’s behavior, whether it be taking a medication or following lifestyle modification recommendations, corresponds with agreed-upon recommendations from a health-care provider”
Question # 1
What percent of patients DO NOT take their
chronic medications as prescribed?
Answer to Question # 1
50%
Medication Non-Adherence
• >25% of new prescriptions never filled• Up to 50% of patients don’t take their
chronic medication as directed• Worse outcomes
Up to 50% of treatment failures 125,000 deaths annually
• Higher cost to patient and healthcare $100 Billion per year in hospitalizations
Making Your Meds Affordable
• Consult your pharmacist!• Generics
Equivalent product at lower cost• Generic Combination Products
2 or more medications in one pill• Patient Assistance Programs• Coupons• Medicare Part D
Generic Medications• Cost 80-85% less than the brand• Same quality, purity, effectiveness,
performance• All FDA-Approved generic drugs must be
equivalent to the brand name drug Same active ingredient Same strength Same dosage form Same route of administration
Reduce Your Pill Count
• Generic Combination Products• Once daily doses• Minimum necessary medications
Reduce Trips to the Pharmacy
• 90-day Supply• Medication Synchronization
Patient Story
Question # 2
Raise your hand if you ever MISS doses of your
medication
Taking Your Medications Daily
• Pill Box• Unit-dose packaging• Automatic refill• Reminders
Alarms Calendar MyMeds
When to Take Medications
• Empty stomach• With food• Bedtime
Missed Doses
• Don’t panic!• Rule of thumb:
Take as soon as you remember If it is close to your next dose, skip the
missed dose Do not take 2 doses at the same time
• There are exceptions to this rule• When in doubt, call your pharmacist
Over-The-Counters
• Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays• Proton Pump Inhibitors• Oxybutynin Patch• Antihistamines• Histamine-2 Antagonists• Sleep Aids
Reading OTC labels
Question # 3
True or False?
The FDA guarantees marketed supplements are
both safe and effective.
Answer to Question # 3
FALSE!
Herbal Products
• FDA does not review for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed
Manufacturers are responsible to ensure safety
• Supplements can interact with prescription and OTC medications
• Check with your doctor before starting any supplement
Drug Interactions
• Grapefruit juice• Alcohol• Calcium/Magnesium• Herbals
Adverse Effects
• Allergies• Intolerance• Side Effect
Up-to-date Medication List
• Hand written list• Printed List from SMG Patient Portal• MyMeds Smart Phone App
Safely Storing Medications
• Store in secured location• Store in cool, dry place; avoid bathroom• Store in original container or pill box• Avoid storing medications for different
people in the same area• Clean out your medication closet
annually• Some medications require refrigeration
Discontinued Medications
• Tell your pharmacist• Update your medication list• Dispose of medication properly
Take-Home Points
• Maintain an up-to-date medication list • Bring medication list to all appointments• Consult your pharmacist before starting
any OTC medication or supplement• Medication adherence saves money
and lives• Consult your friendly pharmacist for
medication questions and concerns
Questions?