INSIDE - SCAN Health Plan

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SCAN healthcheck p r e v e n t i o n a n d s c r e e n i n g Take Control of Your Health – by Taking Control of Your Medications If you take one or more medications on a regular basis, they play a key role in your ongoing health. So take charge of your medications with just a few easy tips. medicine for an ongoing condition, you should receive a “Pocket Prescription Card” from SCAN twice a year, so the list is prepared for you. Just make sure you share your pocket-prescription card with your doctors. #1. Keep a list of your drugs and show it to your doctor(s) at every visit. Why? This is useful information for your physician, especially if you see more than one. It’s a quick reminder, but also lets them know if one of your other doctors has added anything to your prescription list. As a SCAN member, if you take #2: Use only one pharmacy to fill your prescriptions. Why? Your medication history (a list of all the medications you have filled) is in the pharmacy’s system. This allows your pharmacist to easily see if there might be drug interactions or other concerns 4
with your medications. If needed, the pharmacist can work with your doctor to avoid them. Medication Dos #3: Don’t ask your physician for a drug that is advertised on television or in a magazine. Why? Keep in mind the purpose of these ads: to sell their specific product. If an ad makes it sound like a medicine may help you, have an open discussion with your doctor on all the options. Then you can agree on the most suitable and affordable treatment for you. #4: Ask how long the drug has been on the market. (We recommend taking drugs that have been available in the U.S. for at least two years.) Why? In the past ten years, sixteen brand name drugs have been taken off the market for safety reasons. Half of the time when a drug is removed from the marketplace, it happens within the first two years it’s available. and Don’ts Do: ◗ Let your doctors know about any other over-thecounter medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbs that you use ◗ Refill prescriptions a week or so before you run out so you don’t miss a dosage ◗ Take all medications as directed: right dose at the right time, etc. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about the directions Don’t: #5: Ask if there are other things you can do besides taking a drug. Why? Sometimes just making other changes, such as changing what you eat or getting regular exercise, will give you the results you need. ◗ Change your medication dose or schedule without talking with your doctor ◗ Skip doses ◗ Take someone else’s medication ◗ Use medication that has passed its expiration #6: At least once a year review all your medications with your doctor. Why? This will help ensure your medication dosages are still right for you. After all, there may have been changes since they were originally prescribed, such as in your weight, health, or other medicines you’ve started taking. It’s also a good time to see if there are any medications you can stop taking. date ◗ Store your medications in locations that are either too hot or too cold 5
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INSIDE - SCAN Health Plan

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