Central California Alliance for Health | Living Healthy | March 2018

P rescription drug safety is key to ensure that your medication works the way it is intended to. Always ask your doctor and your pharmacist any questions or concerns you may have about your medications. These are some things to keep in mind when getting a new prescription drug. When talking with your doctor and/or your pharmacist, be sure to: ■  ■ Give them a complete list of all medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter medications and supplements. This helps your pharmacist know about any possible negative side effects with new medications. ■  ■ Let them know if you have any allergies. ■  ■ Do not leave your doctor’s office or the pharmacy until you understand why you are taking this medication and the directions on how to use it. ■  ■ Ask your pharmacist the best way to store the medication. ■  ■ Talk to your pharmacist about how to dispose of the unused or expired medication. When taking the medication, remember: ■  ■ Keep it in its original container. ■  ■ Keep it away from the reach of children and pets. ■  ■ Do not store it in extreme temperatures. Heat, moisture and freezing temperatures can lower the effectiveness of the medication. Follow your pharmacist’s direction on how to store it. ■  ■ Read the label every time you take your medication, especially if you are taking multiple medications. You do not want to take the wrong medication by mistake. ■  ■ Do not take more than what is prescribed, especially of pain medication. ■  ■ Do not share your medication with anyone else. ■  ■ Do not dispose of your unused or expired medication where someone can easily find it. Some medications should be flushed down the toilet. Some are to be thrown out mixed in cat litter in a sealed bag. Follow your pharmacist’s directions for disposal of your medication. Use prescription drugs safely Drug Used for Change Promethazine with Codeine Syrup Cough Removed Perindopril tablets, Telmisartan tablets, Irbesartan HCT, Amlodipine-valsartan tablets, Amlodipine-valsartan-HCTZ tablets High blood pressure, heart failure, coronary artery disease Added Captopril tablets, Moexipril tablets, Benazepril-HCTZ tablets, Captopril-HCTZ tablets, Moexipril-HCTZ tablets High blood pressure, heart failure, coronary artery disease Removed Nadolol tablets, Diltiazem ER 12H capsules, Matzim LA 24H tablets, Dyrenium tablets, Aldactazide 50-50 tablets High blood pressure Removed Atenolol-chlorthalidone tablets, Metoprolol tartrate-HCT tablets, Felodipine ER tablets, Amiloride tablets High blood pressure Added Rosuvastatin tablets, Ezetimibe tablets High cholesterol Added Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters 1G High triglycerides Added Rizatriptan ODT Migraine Added Cyanocobalamin injection Vitamin B 12 deficiency Added Formulary changes 4 living healthy medications