Download the November/December 2012 Issue - Bayshore ...

You can help prevent interactions
by reading all your medication labels.
“Remember to tell your doctor about
everything you take as well,” says
Dr. Rodriguez-Bostock. “He or she
will rely on this information when
deciding what type of medication to
prescribe for you.”
An Rx for Organization
An easy way to keep track of all
your medications is to draw up
a schedule. Dalia Hanna, M.D., of
Bayshore Community Hospital,
recommends these tips:
• Write it down. For each medicine,
list the name, the dose, how often
you take it, and the time of day.
Also write down why you take
it, such as for “blood pressure,”
“breathing,” or “cholesterol.”
Include any over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, and herbal
medicines you take regularly, as
well as medication you take as
needed.
• Share your schedule with a family
member or friend. “Your loved one
can help you remember to take
your medicines on a daily basis or
while traveling,” says Dr. Hanna.
“Making sure someone else has
your schedule is also important
in case a health emergency leaves
you unable to communicate.”
• Post it. Keep your schedule on the
refrigerator or another place where
you’ll see it every day.
• Keep it current. Whenever your
medicines change, update the list
on your schedule and replace all
outdated lists.
• Give a copy to each doctor you
see. Your doctors need to know
about all your medicines to make
sure they can be safely taken
together.
• If you are admitted to the hospital
or need to call 911, bring a copy
with you. When you’re ready to go
home, have a nurse or pharmacist
review your schedule and add any
new medicines.
Be Vigilant After a
Hospital Visit
Keeping up with new prescriptions
after a hospitalization is especially
difficult. But taking steps before and
after leaving the hospital can help
you protect yourself.
“Take an active part in your
medical care. Find out as much as
possible about each medication
before taking it,” advises Angelo
Chinnici, M.D., of Jersey Shore
University Medical Center. He
suggests asking these questions of
doctors and nurses at the hospital,
your primary care doctor, or your
pharmacist:
• What is this medication for?
• Should I avoid certain prescription
and over-the-counter drugs, foods,
supplements, and activities while
taking this medicine?
• What side effects might occur?
What should I do if I experience
them? Can I do anything to lower
my risk for them?
• What should I do if I forget a dose?
• Should I take this medication
before, during, or after meals?
Make sure you understand the
answers and track the information
in your scheduling chart. “Don’t be
afraid to ask your doctor questions.
He or she knows you best,” adds
Dr. Chinnici.
Save Money with Generics
If you see a lot of medicines in
your scheduling chart, you may
start seeing something else: dollar
signs. In many cases, generic drugs
can help you save money on your
medications.
“Generic drugs are safe and
effective alternatives to brand-name
drugs,” notes William Power Jr., M.D.,
Making Sense of Your Medications
Dalia N. Hanna, M.D.
Board certified in Family Medicine
Matawan • 732-566-2363
William K. Power Jr., M.D.
Board certified in Internal
Medicine and Geriatric Medicine
Forked River • 609-693-9240
Susan Rodriguez-Bostock, M.D.
Board certified in Family Medicine
Jackson • 732-367-0166
Angelo Chinnici, M.D.
Internal Medicine
Asbury Park • 732-775-7978
of Southern Ocean Medical Center.
“They are identical to their
brand-name counterparts in terms
of active ingredients, dosage, and
quality.” And according to the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, they
can be 30 percent to 80 percent
cheaper than the brand version.
Why are generics less expensive?
“When a drug is first made, it’s
covered by a patent, which protects
the company that developed it,” says
Dr. Power. “When the patent expires,
however, other companies can
start making and selling that drug,
without the expense of research and
development. Then, they pass those
savings on to the consumer.” •
At WellnessCenter.MeridianHealth.com, you’ll find a wealth
of online resources to help you manage your medications. Click on
“Library,” then “Drug Reference,” for a comprehensive listing of drugs and
a drug interaction checker.
Meridian HealthViews • November/December 2012
29