This section provides essential information about prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Whether you are managing a short-term illness or a chronic condition, understanding your medications is crucial for safe and effective treatment.
Patient Story – (The story is true; the patient’s and provider’s names have been changed.)
Akira, a 71-year-old woman, was prescribed Norvasc (amlodipine), a medication for hypertension and coronary artery disease. However, due to a pharmacy error, she was mistakenly given Navane (thiothixene), an antipsychotic medication.
Over several months, Akira experienced worsening fatigue, slow movements, personality changes, and uncontrolled blood pressure. She was hospitalized once for chest pain and had multiple visits to her family physician, where she was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Eventually, she was hospitalized after a fall due to light-headedness. During the admission medication reconciliation, the error was discovered. The pharmacy had accidentally dispensed the wrong medication despite the written prescription being fully legible. Once the thiothixene was discontinued, Akira’s clinical status improved.
Had Akira or her family members been more familiar with her prescribed medication or questioned the changes in her health, the error might have been caught earlier, potentially preventing the decline in her health and subsequent hospitalizations. This case highlights the crucial role patients can play in their own healthcare and demonstrates how medication errors can persist despite multiple interactions with the healthcare system, underscoring the need for vigilance at all levels of care.
New Drug Approvals and Information
There are numerous resources available for up-to-date information on drugs. Some of the more popular online resources are:
- Drugs.com: Comprehensive and up-to-date drug information, peer-reviewed advice on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and natural products.
- RxList: Detailed pharmaceutical information on brand and generic medications, reviewed and updated by pharmacists and physicians. Operated by WebMD.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health): A trusted source for information on drugs, supplements, and herbs.
- FDA Recalls and Safety Alerts: Stay informed about drug and food safety alerts and recalls.
To ensure you receive the best possible care, openly communicate with your doctor about your medical history, including all medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you are taking. Ask these important questions about each medication:
- Name: What are the brand and generic names of this medication?
- Dosage: What is the correct dose?
- Frequency: How often should I take it?
- Missed Dose: What should I do if I miss a dose?
- Expected Reactions: What reactions might I expect, and what should I do if I experience one?
- How It Works: How Does the Medication Work?
- Special Instructions: Are there any specific instructions for taking this medication (e.g., with food, on an empty stomach)?
Tip: Write down the answers or record them. Ask your doctor for written information about each medication.
At the Pharmacy: Verifying Your Medication
Verification: When you receive your medication, verify that it is the same medication your doctor prescribed. If you have any questions, ask the pharmacist to explain any differences. Confirm how often to take the medication, whether it should be taken with food, the correct dosage, and potential interactions with your vitamins and/or supplements.
Steps to Take for Medication Safety
- Store medications in a safe, secure, and locked place, out of reach and sight of children.
- Keep each medication in its original container to maintain its stability.
- Store medications in a dark, dry, and cool area. Avoid refrigerating unless specifically instructed.
- Take medication only as directed by your doctor.
- Never share or take anyone else’s medication.
- Do not take medication in the dark.
- Only give or take medication when you are fully awake and alert.
- Call 911 if someone’s life is in immediate danger.
If you experience a reaction or side effect to medication, food, vitamin, or substance, contact your doctor immediately. And carry a list of your medical history and medications in your purse or wallet, including dosage and frequency. Keep this with your insurance information.
Common Prescription Abbreviations
Understanding these abbreviations can help you decipher your prescription:
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Latin Term |
| ac | before meals | ante cibum |
| bid | twice a day | bis in die |
| cap | capsule | capsula |
| gt | drop | gutta |
| hs | at bedtime | hora somni |
| od | right eye | oculus dexter |
| os | left eye | oculus sinister |
| po | by mouth | per os |
| pc | after meals | post cibum |
| pil | pill | pilula |
| prn | as needed | pro re nata |
| q2h | every 2 hours | quaque 2 hora |
| qd | every day | quaque die |
| qh | every hour | quaque hora |
| qid | 4 times a day | quater in die |
| tab | tablet | tabella |
| tid | 3 times a day | ter in die |
Prescription Drugs: Saving Money
Tip: Shop around. Drug prices can vary significantly. Even at different providers in the same geographic market.
Generic Drugs
If you want to save money on a prescription drug that you expect to take for a long time, ask your doctor if there is a generic substitute for the drug they have prescribed. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires generic drugs to meet the same standards as brand-name drugs, and a generic drug must be composed of the same active ingredients and produce the same clinical results as its brand-name equivalent. To check for generic alternatives, consult your pharmacist or use online resources like:
Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs, Vitamins, and Supplements
OTC medications are still drugs and carry risks. It is important to let your doctor know about the OTC drugs you take, including dosage, frequency, and purpose.
Multivitamins
There is a considerable amount of conflicting research on the benefits of vitamins. In most cases, one pill should provide nearly 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance for many essential vitamins. These vitamins include vitamins A, C, D, and E, B vitamins, and folic acid. Multivitamins are also available in a chewable format for individuals who struggle to swallow a pill whole. You can also get individual pills to supplement minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. There are even multivitamins designed to provide specific nutrients for targeted populations, such as women, men, age-specific vitamins, and those for pregnant women.
You can combine vitamins with your food by adding them in a powder format to your meal. These types of vitamins are usually ground up vegetables, fruits, and other food ingredients. Sometimes, the manufacturer may also add vitamins. Another way you can take multivitamins is in a powdered form mixed in with a liquid, and in capsule form.
Taking Medicines Safely
Many medicines have names that look or sound alike. Unless you’re a healthcare professional or carefully read both the doctor’s prescription and the label on your medicine bottle at the pharmacy, chances are you won’t know when you’ve received the wrong medicine.
Often, patients discover medication errors. As a health consumer, you can take steps to ensure you receive the correct medication and understand how to use it effectively. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed a checklist for taking medication safely. They recommend that you:
- Medication List: Bring a list of all medications (prescription, OTC, vitamins, supplements) to doctor and pharmacy visits.
- Ask Questions: Choose a pharmacist and doctor you feel comfortable with. Ask them to use plain language. Bring a friend or relative if needed.
- Verify Medication: Double-check that the medicine you receive is what your doctor ordered. If it looks different, ask your pharmacist.
- Understand Usage: Read the label and ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain anything you do not understand. Find out about any medicines, foods, or activities to avoid.
- Side Effects: Ask about possible side effects, what to watch for, and whether they are serious. Contact your doctor if the side effects are severe or do not improve.
Free and Discount Drug Programs
- The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPARX) is a single point of access to public and private programs. Phone: 1-888-477-2669
- RxHope: Advocates for people who cannot afford medications.
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Most companies offer patient assistance programs. Contact the specific company for details.
- RxAssist: A database of pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs.
- NeedyMeds: A non-profit organization helping people who cannot afford medications.
By following these guidelines and staying informed, you can effectively manage your medication and ensure your safety and well-being.
Dr. You 
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