Common Question About Medications
As people grow older, changes in eyesight, hearing, and strength. Although these changes may not be obvious, it is important to understand how these changes affect your body and how it handles medication. Some important questions to ask include:
What Am I Taking This Medication for, and How Will It Help Me?
Knowing why you are taking a medication will help you understand how important it is to take it.
When Should I Take This Medication, and How Much Should I Take?
If you do not take a medication as prescribed, it may not work as well as it should or it may produce side effects. Taking the right dose of your medication at the right time will help you get the most from your medications and help you avoid side effects.
How Long Will It Take for This Medication to Work?
Not all medications work right away. They may take a few days or weeks—and sometimes even months—to work. Knowing when to expect a benefit from a medication will help you to know what to expect.
How Long Should I Take This Medication For?
Some medications are for short-term use, and some are for long-term use. Some medications will have to be taken even after your symptoms improve.
How Should I Store This Medication?
Medication may lose potency if it is not stored properly. Medication will not work as well as it should if it loses potency. Covenant Home Care will help you store all medications correctly by following the storage instructions listed in the medication information sheet that comes with your medication.
Can I Take This Medication with Food?
To help your medication work best and help prevent side effects, find out if your medication should be taken with or without food.
Can I Drink Alcoholic Beverages (Such As Beer, Wine, Whiskey, and Others) While I Am Taking This Medication?
It is important to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking many medications because drinking alcohol may increase the side effects of medications.
What Should I Do If I Forget to Take a Dose?
Although Covenant Home Care can provide you with medication reminders, from time to time, you may forget to take your medication. If you do forget, we can advise as to whether you should take the forgotten dose as soon as possible, or skip the dose altogether and take your regular dose of medication at the the next scheduled time.
What Side Effects Can This Medication Cause?
Medications may cause side effects. Many side effects occur when you first start taking a medication but stop in a few days or weeks. Other side effects may continue for as long as you take the medication. Covenant Home Care’s nurse s monitor medication and can advise you what side effects to expect, and when to consult a healthcare professional.
What Medications Can Interact with This Medication?
You should always tell your doctors and other healthcare professionals what medications you take. Covenant Home Care can advise you of the potential side-effects of taking multiple medications. Some medication, prescription and over-the-counter may interact with each other to produce unwanted effects, such as side effects or one medication canceling the other out.
Will This Medication Make My Other Medical Problems Worse?
Sometimes medications for one medical problem may cause side effects that may worsen another medical problem. Our nurses monitor your health condition informs your physicians and other health care professions if your medication causes problems like this.
Does This Medication Cause Drowsiness—Will I Be Able to Drive or Do Other Things I Need to Be Alert For?
Some medication cause drowsiness and it is important to your safety to know what you shouldn’t be doing while you are taking this medication. Covenant Home Care can advise as to what activities to avoid when you begin taking medication that may cause drowsiness.
Do I Have to Do Anything Special When I Take This Medication?
You may need to stop taking medications when you start taking other medications, or before you have surgery and other medication procedures.