Knowledge is the best medicine

Free!
Medication
Record Inside
Knowledge is
the best medicine
What you need
to know about
your medicines
Inside:
1 Using your medicines safely
2 Ask your doctor or pharmacist
3 Living smart

1Using your medicines safely
What You Need to Know
When you take any medicine, whether prescribed or
purchased over the counter without a prescription,
you need to know:
33What it is.
33Why you are taking it.
33When and how you should use it.
33The effect it will have on you.
?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Your doctor and pharmacist are
there to help.
Some Helpful Hints
33Do not expect a new prescription each time you visit
your doctor.
33Use the same pharmacy for all your prescriptions.
33Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you are
taking. This includes vitamins, over-the-counter
medicines, and herbal products.
33Before you use an over-the-counter medicine or
herbal product, make sure it’s safe to use with your
prescriptions.
33Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies
or have had a reaction to medicines in the past.
33Make sure you know exactly how to take your medicine.
33Use the Medication Record in this booklet to
list your medicines. Show it to your doctor
or pharmacist each time you visit them.
At home
33Take your
medicine
exactly as
directed.
Too much
or too little
could hurt
you.
33Take your medicine at the same time each day.
For example, when you eat breakfast or just before
you go to bed.
33If you forget to take your prescription medication,
do not double the next dose. Call your doctor or
pharmacist for advice.
33Finish all of your prescription, even if you start to
feel better.
33Do not share your prescription medication and
do not take someone else’s prescription.
33When certain prescriptions are mixed with alcohol,
the result can be harmful. Check with your doctor
or pharmacist.
2 Knowledge is the best medicine
3

Using your medicines safely
1Things to watch for
A side effect is something that happens when a
medicine affects you in a way it is not supposed to.
Before you take any prescription, your pharmacist and
doctor should tell you about side effects that might
happen and how long they might last.
Your doctor may want to change your prescription
if the side effects are too strong. There may be a
medicine that is better for you.
Ask you doctor and pharmacist which side effects you
should report.
Adverse reactions are more serious than side effects
but happen less often. No one wants them and they
can cause a lot of harm.
Some examples are:
• a severe allergic reaction where you struggle
to breathe, have a skin rash, feel very itchy, or
have swelling;
•
•
• depression.
feeling faint and having a racing heart;
severe nausea or diarrhea;
!
If you think you are having a
serious adverse reaction, seek
medical attention right away.
Keep it safe
33Keep your prescription in the same container it
came in, with the cap closed.
33Store your prescription in a dry, cool place away
from sunlight. Heat and moisture can damage
the medicine.
33Keep medicines away
from your children
and pets. Put all
your medicines
on a high shelf or
in a cupboard where
they can’t see or reach
them.
33Put your medicine in the
fridge only if it says so on the label.
33Do not use medicine after the expiry date has
passed.
33Clean out your medicine cabinet at least once a year.
Gather up medicines that are old, not in their original
bottle, or have labels that are not clear.
Do NOT throw medicines in the garbage or flush
33
them down the toilet. Take them to your local
pharmacy. This is the only way to safely dispose
of them.
4 Knowledge is the best medicine
5

2Ask your doctor or pharmacist
You should not feel embarrassed or uncomfortable
asking your doctor or pharmacist questions.
They are there to help you.
!
The more you know about
your medication, the more
you become a team player
in your own health care.
Here are some hints
33Before you visit the doctor or pharmacist, write down
your questions and bring the list with you.
33Take along a friend or relative who can help you
understand and recall what the doctor tells you.
33If you feel confused
by an answer, ask
the question again.
33Read the patient
information sheets
you receive when
you pick up your
prescription from
the drug store.
Questions to ask when you start taking
a prescription
33What is the name of the prescription?
33Why am I taking it?
33Can I use this medicine safely with other medicines
and treatments I am using? (Remember to tell
your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you
are taking.)
33Will I need a refill?
33Are there any side
effects?
33Which ones should
I report?
33Do you need to see
me while I’m taking
this medication?
33Is there any chance
that I could become dependent on this medicine?
What can I do to avoid this?
33How will I know if it is working?
6 Knowledge is the best medicine
7

your doctor or pharmacist
Use your Medication Record
2 Ask
Know how to take your medication
33When should I take it and for how long?
33Do I take it on an empty stomach or with food?
33What should I do if I miss a dose?
33What should I do if I use too much by mistake?
33Should I avoid any foods, drink, or activities while
using this medicine?
33Will this medicine make me sleepy?
33Can I drive a car?
33Can I drink alcohol while taking it?
33How should I store the medication? Does it need
to be kept in the fridge?
Tips from your pharmacist
33If you take more than one medication, use daily
or weekly pill containers to help remind you when
to take the medicine.
33If you have trouble opening pill bottles, ask the drug
store to put your prescription in a bottle with an
“easy open” lid.
33An easy-to-read label can be made with big print.
Ask the pharmacist for this kind of label if you have
vision problems.
33If you find it hard to
swallow pills, ask if your
medicine comes as a
liquid or in a form you
can chew. Find out if
it’s okay to crush the
medication and
mix it with food
or water.
33If other people
in your family
are taking
medication,
use a marker
to highlight the
user’s name on
each bottle. You
may also want
to highlight the
instructions.
Use a pen in a
different colour
for each person.
!
as a handy place to list all
your medicines.
8 Knowledge is the best medicine
9

3Living smart
Help Yourself to Better Health
Most Canadians have at least one risk factor for chronic
disease that is within their power to change. Making
healthy choices will not only reduce your risk of disease,
it will also make you feel better.
Eat well
“Research shows that 30 to 35 per cent of all
cancers can be prevented by eating well, being
active and maintaining a healthy body weight.”
– Canadian Cancer Society
What we eat and drink affects how we feel. Following
Canada’s Food Guide can help. Talk to a health
professional to learn more.
33Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
33Eat whole grain breads and cereals
to add fibre.
33Choose meat and dairy products
that are low in fat.
33Don’t use too much
salt — it can increase
your blood
pressure.
Stay active
“Not only can physical activity help you live longer,
but it may also … prolong your health, mental
acuity, and independence to help you enjoy a
better quality of life.”
– Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada
!
Regular exercise at any age
helps you maintain a healthy
body and mind. Find an activity
you like and get moving.
Thirty to 60 minutes of moderate activity most days of
the week can:
33lower your risk of heart disease.
33help control high blood pressure and weight.
33reduce stress.
33increase your energy.
33improve your sleep and digestion.
Set yourself goals that you can reach. Walk at a
brisk pace for 15 minutes each day. Or you could do
10 minutes of exercise three times a day, for a total
of 30 minutes.
10 Knowledge is the best medicine
11

3Living smart
There are many ways to be active that are fun and do
not cost money.
33Walk around the block with a friend.
33Ride a bike. Once you learn, you never forget how to
do it.
33Your local community centre may offer free swimming.
33Work in your garden.
!
Make physical activity part of
your daily routine. Get a copy
of Canada’s Physical Activity
Guide to Healthy Active Living
for more ideas.
Regular exercise has many
benefits. It’s never too late
to start, but be sure to
tell your doctor before
you start or change
your exercise
program. And
learn to be
careful. If
it hurts —
stop.
Enjoy
yourself!
What else can I do?
33Do not smoke.
33Avoid second-hand smoke.
33If you smoke, get help to quit.
It’s never too late to stop.
33Keep children away from second-hand smoke.
33Drink alcohol only in small amounts.
33Reduce your stress.
33Have regular check-ups to measure your
blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood
sugar levels. When you find a problem
early, treatment will work better.
Make social life part of
a healthy life
33Good health also comes from
being socially and mentally
active. Stay in touch with
your family and friends.
33Stay informed. The more
you know, the more you can
do to improve your health.
33Take care of yourself. Remember
prevention is the best cure.
12 Knowledge is the best medicine
13

3 Living
smart
By eating well and staying physically and
For stress and anxiety:
socially active, you can help yourself enjoy
33talk about your
better health.
feelings with a friend.
An apple a day
Many common
problems do not
require medication.
If you cannot sleep:
33get fresh air and
exercise during
the day.
33soak in a warm bath
before you go to
bed — this is a good
way to relax at the
end of the day.
33listen to music.
33get some exercise.
When you have a cold:
33rest and drink fluids.
33use a steam vaporizer.
!
REMEMBER,
WHEN IT
COMES TO
YOUR HEALTH,
KNOWLEDGE
IS THE BEST
MEDICINE.
14 Knowledge is the best medicine
15

Knowledge is the best medicine
Brought to you by:
For additional copies of our brochure and record book, contact Rx&D:
1-800-363-0203
Fax: 613-236-6861
Website: www.canadapharma.org
(Downloadable version of the Medication Record is also available)
E-mail: knowledge@canadapharma.org
Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D)
55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1220
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L5
Disponible en français
Compliments of:
KIBM-BRO-E