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Medication Safety
Take part in decisions about your medications.
Here are some ways you can be our partner in medication safety:
Keep an updated list of your medications with you in your wallet or purse. You may contact Outreach Services at (309) 836-1584 to request a medication wallet card or download a fillable medication journal (pdf) to record your information and save on your home computer. (Note: In order to download a fillable form you will need Adobe Reader 9 or above.)
The list should include the following:
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Name of each medication
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Purpose of each medication
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Dose of each medication
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How often you take each one (frequency)
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Month/year you started taking each medication
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Name and phone number of your pharmacy and physician
Include on this list any prescription medications, vitamins, herbal products, dietary supplements, over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications, sample medications, eye drops, inhalation therapy, injections, and oxygen.
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Carry your wallet card with you at all times. Use it whenever you talk about your medications with your physician, nurse, or pharmacist
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Whenever you are given a new medication (including samples from a physician’s office), make a note on your medication card
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Whenever a medication is changed or stopped, update the information on your wallet card
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Keep a current list of your medication and food allergies and your reactions on your medication card. Remind your doctors, nurses, and pharmacists of your allergies
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Keep a record of your most recent pneumonia, tetanus, and flu vaccines on your medication card.
At the Pharmacy
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Read the label carefully. Make sure you can read the label on your medications and that you understand what everything means
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Renew your medications before they run out
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Try to obtain all of your medications from one pharmacy. If this is not possible, let all of your pharmacists know what medications you are taking
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Ask your pharmacist for a printed list of your current medications.
At the Physician’s Office
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Take your medication list with you every time you go to your healthcare provider, especially if you see more than one
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Make sure you know the name of any medication prescribed, how you are supposed to take it, and its purpose before you leave the office
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Be honest with your healthcare provider about whether or not you have been taking your medications as prescribed.
At Home
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Consider using simple tools, such as a pill box or a calendar, to help improve your ability to take your medications at the correct time and to avoid missing doses
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Take all medications as prescribed, even if you are feeling better
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Do not share your medications with anyone else or take medications given to you by someone else
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Store medications out of the reach of children and pets
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Do not store medications in the bathroom or in direct sunlight
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Dispose of medications when you are no longer taking them
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Turn on the lights to take your medications
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Do not crush, chew, or break any medication unless instructed to do so.
Some questions you can ask your doctor or pharmacist
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Why is this medication prescribed to me?
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Does this medication have any side effects?
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Is it safe to take this medication with the other medications I am taking?
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Is it safe to take this medication with the foods I eat? With the herbs or vitamins I am taking?
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Is it safe to take this medication with alcoholic beverages?
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How should I take this medication?
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Do I need any follow-up tests or appointments?
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Do I need any follow-up visits with my doctor?
For more information, contact MDH Outreach Services at (309) 836-1584.
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