Lifelong Health by Dr. David Lipschitz

An estimated 26 percent of all hospital admissions are due to complications from medical therapy. The problem is so widespread that we must all be engaged and involved in understanding the indications for a medication, intended benefits, possible side effects and how it should be taken. Here are 10 steps that may help:

1. Medications are beneficial in relieving symptoms and curing disease, but all come with side effects. While side effects vary in prevalence from very common to very rare, they always occur. In each case, the benefit of the drug must outweigh the risks for medication to be taken. Consult with your doctor and your pharmacist to ensure the benefits and risks are fully understood.

2. Do not refuse to take a medication because you are concerned about side effects. Many patients state, "I hate to take medications," or "I am very sensitive to medications," or "I always experience side effects." It is a mistake to refuse to take a medication that may have significant benefits merely because you are concerned about side effects.

3. Try to start only one new medication at a time. If two or three drugs are started simultaneously and an adverse reaction occurs, it is often impossible to identify which drug is causing the problem. The only course of action is to discontinue the medications, leading to poorer care and more confusion. Sometimes, the nature of the illness is such that a doctor is forced to prescribe several new drugs at a time. On other occasions it may not be necessary, so talk to your physician if he prescribes multiple medications.

4. Consider generic medications first. Often, patients and physicians use the newest and most expensive medication. And yet, for almost every disease, there is a generic preparation available that has proven benefits and a fully understood side-effect profile.

5. The more drugs you take, the greater the risk of side effects. Side effects increase dramatically if six different pills are taken per day. If 11 or more pills are taken daily, you have a 100 percent chance of experiencing adverse side effects.

All pills count in the risk of side effects including prescription, over the counter, herbal remedies or dietary supplements.

6. Identify one physician who knows all the medications you are taking. Patients with multiple chronic diseases often go to multiple specialists who focus exclusively on one particular problem. One physician starts a medication, and other physicians are reluctant to stop or change treatment initiated by another physician. Work with a primary care physician that you respect, and ask that he or she become responsible for prescribing and monitoring all medications taken.

7. Use the same pharmacist whenever possible. There are so many different medications on the market that it is impossible for a physician to be fully aware of all the potential adverse effects, whether the prescribed drug is ideal, and if one medication is exerting either a positive or a negative effect on another medication taken. Pharmacists have access to computer programs that list all the potential problems of each drug, the possibilities of drug interactions and can identify obvious mistakes (such as the prescribing of the same drug twice or prescribing an incorrect medication).

8. Take a complete list of medication to every doctor's appointment. If medications are changed or discontinued by one doctor, make sure all your other physicians are aware of the changes.

9. If a medication does not work, tell your physician and ask if it can be discontinued. If you are taking a medication that does not appear to be helping, the only way to find out is to stop taking the drug. If symptoms worsen, the drug can always be restarted.

10. Compulsively take medications as prescribed. One of the most critical reasons for medication problems is noncompliance. Always take your medications as prescribed and talk to your physician immediately if you are experiencing a problem.

Multiple drug use leads to much confusion, which can adversely affect care. Take this advice and use it to ensure optimum medication usage.

Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the book "Breaking the Rules of Aging." To find out more about Dr. David Lipschitz and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. More information is available at www.DrDavidHealth.com.

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