If you routinely use several different prescription and over-the-counter medications, it’s important to take stock regularly. It’s not uncommon for people to continue taking a medication long after it’s needed.
And taking multiple medications is not only potentially risky, it’s also expensive. According to the National Institutes of Health, people who take five or more prescription medications spend nearly $11,000 more a year than those who take fewer drugs.
“Any time you’re getting a new medication or a refill of a current one, you need to do your homework,” says Ghada L. Ashkar, PharmD, associate chief of ambulatory pharmacy for UCLA Health. “Asking the right questions is critical.”
Managing your medications at home
The more medications you take every day, the more easily you can lose track of what’s truly necessary. “When people take five or more medications, it’s called polypharmacy,” says Dr. Ashkar. “And when you’re taking multiple medications it’s very important to stay on top of what you’re taking and why you’re taking it.”
The best thing you can do is keep a list of medications you take, updating it as ones are added or subtracted. According to Dr. Ashkar, you need to include not just prescription drugs, but also any over-the-counter medications and supplements. For each medicine, note how much and how often you take it.
Managing your medications also means keeping them safe. “Store them according to the guidelines — usually in a cool, dry place,” says Dr. Ashkar. “And keep an eye on expiration dates.” If you need to dispose of expired medications or ones you’re no longer taking, find a pharmacy or organization that offers medication take-backs. They will dispose of it safely for you.
How your pharmacist can help you manage medications
Your pharmacist is your first — and often best — line of defense when it comes to managing your medications. Every time you pick up a new or refilled prescription, you can ask your pharmacist questions. “Let them know what other medications you’re taking so they can be alert to drug interactions or side effects,” says Dr. Ashkar.
After surgery or illness, your doctor may prescribe a variety of medications to “take as needed.” This could include things like stool softeners or pain medications. Your pharmacist can be a great source of education whenever you receive a new prescription. “It’s important to ask specific questions about how long you’ll need those and when you can skip or stop taking them completely,” says Dr. Ashkar. “These aren’t medications that you necessarily need to finish, and once you don’t have the symptoms, you can stop.”
How to make prescription drugs more affordable
Even for people with good health insurance, certain medications can be very expensive. And if you’re taking several different drugs, even modest co-pays can add up quickly.
You can start by asking your doctor or pharmacist if there’s a cheaper alternative to an expensive medication that would work just as well for you. You can also ask about coupon programs that might provide a discount.
“If a high co-pay is difficult for you to afford, it’s important to let your doctor know,” says Dr. Ashkar. “They want to make sure you’re able to keep taking necessary medications, so they will work with your pharmacy to bring down the cost as much as possible.”
Talking to your doctor about your medications
At least once a year — during your annual physical or check-in with a specialist — you need to go over all the medications you’re taking. “Don’t be afraid to just gather up all the pill bottles and bring them with you,” says Dr. Ashkar. That allows you to go through them one by one with your provider.
Whenever any new medications are added to your repertoire, you run the risk of drugs interacting badly with each other. “That can sometimes create side effects, but if your doctor doesn’t know everything you’re taking, they might not recognize that it’s a side effect of medication,” says Dr. Ashkar. “They might even prescribe yet another medication to treat those symptoms.”
It's important not to assume your doctor knows everything you’re taking — prescription and over the counter. “You really need to take charge,” says Dr. Ashkar. Your annual visit is your opportunity to ask questions and get the answers you need to take medications safely.
