Patient Resources

Your Responsibilities: Be Safe with Medicines

Who is responsible for your medicines?

A lot of people—including you!

Doctors check all of your medicines to make sure they are OK to take together. They will also check your vitamins, herbs, diet supplements or natural remedies.

Pharmacists will check your new medicines to see if there are other medicines, foods or drink you should not take with your new medicines. This helps to avoid a bad reaction.

Nurses and other caregivers may prepare medicines or give them to you.

You need to give your doctors, pharmacists and other caregivers a list of your medicines.
This list should include your:

• Prescription medicines
• Over-the-counter medicines (for example, aspirin)
• Vitamins
• Herbs
• Diet supplements
• Natural remedies
• Amount of alcohol you drink each day or week
• Recreational drugs

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a medication record card to keep with you.

What should you know about your medicines?

Make sure you can read the handwriting on the prescription. If you can’t read it, the pharmacist may not be able to read it either. You can ask to have the prescription printed.

Read the label. Make sure it has your name on it and the right medicine name.

Make sure that you understand all of the instructions for your medicines.

If you have doubts about a medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or caregiver about it.

What if you forget the instructions for taking a medicine or are not sure about taking it?

Call your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about any of your medicines.

What can you do at the hospital or clinic to help avoid mistakes with your medicines?

Make sure your doctors, nurses and other caregivers check your wristband and ask your name before giving you medicine. Some patients get a medicine that was supposed to go to another patient.

Don’t be afraid to tell a caregiver if you think you are about to get the wrong medicine.

Know what time you should get a medicine. If you don’t get it then, speak up.

Tell your caregiver if you don’t feel well after taking a medicine. Ask for help immediately if you think you are having a side effect or reaction.

You may be given IV (intravenous) fluids. Read the bag to find out what is in it. Ask the caregiver how long it should take the liquid to run out. Tell the caregiver if it’s dripping too fast or too Rslow.

Get a list of your medicines—including your new ones. Read this list carefully. Make sure it lists everything you are taking. If you’re not well enough to do this, ask a friend or relative to help.

Questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist

1. How will this new medicine help you?
2. Are there other names for this medicine? For example, does it have a brand or generic name?
3. Is there any written information about the medicine?
4. Can you take this medicine with your allergy? Remind you doctor about your allergies and reactions you have had to medicines.
5. Is it safe to take this medicine with your other medicines? Is it safe to take it with your vitamins, herbs and supplements?
6. Are there any side effects to the medicine? For example, upset stomach. Who can you call if you have side effects or a bad reaction? Can they be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
7. Are there specific instructions for your medicines? For example, are there any foods or drinks you should avoid while taking it?
8. Can you stop taking the medicine as soon as you feel better? Or do you need to take it until it’s gone?
9. Do you need to swallow or chew the medicine? Can you cut or crush it if you need to?
10. Is it safe to drink alcohol with the medicine?

This information is supplied to you by the Joint Commission.

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