Transcript Take Charge of Your Health

Sponsored by the UW
Poison Prevention Center
Donna Lotzer, Pharmacist
Why Am I Here?
 Think
of older adults and medicines
83% take at least 1 prescription drug
 50% take 3 or more medicines

 To
prevent potential poisoning from
prescriptions and other remedies
 With tips for managing your health
remedies
Having a Senior Moment?
 A little confused?
 Things happen
fast?
 Unexpected
visitors?
 Change of routine?
 How did that
happen?
 Should I bother to
check it out?
What Are…
 Health
Remedies
Prescriptions
 Over-the-Counter Meds
 Herbals
 Vitamins
 Supplements
 Certain foods
and juices

Sources of Information
 Pharmacist
 Doctor
 Nurse
 Ads
(TV and magazines)
 Friends and family
 Internet
 Poison Center

(1-800-222-1222)
Poisoning Exposures
 Are
not just a
problem in
children
Poison Centers –
They Help How?
Experts 24/7/365
 They know drugs
 Call when too much
or the wrong
medicine was taken
 Call when feeling ill
from medicine or ??
 Can help with food,
household exposures
or other questions

Side Effects
And Interactions
 As
drugs are added the
likelihood of problems
will increase.
 Try to document when
something changes
 Herbals can cause big
problems with Rx
drugs
What is an Interaction
 Combined
action of 2 or more
drugs/supplements/foods

Creates an unwanted effect or
poisoning
Shoe Boxes & Mystery Meds




Proper storage for
meds is important
Check to see if any
have expired
Sort through that
shoe box!
Caution for
duplicate
ingredients in Rx
and OTC products
6 Questions
 What
is the name of my medicine?
 What is the medicine for?
 What side effects could I have?
 How much and how often do
I take this?
 What should I do if I miss a dose
or double the dose?
 While taking this medicine should I
avoid any foods or supplements?
Patient Information Sheet
 This
sheet should
come with all new
prescriptions
 Some pharmacies
can provide large
print and other
languages
 Ask the pharmacist
for an explanation!
Keep Track of
Your Medicines
 Helpful
Tools
Journal
 Pill reminder box
 Medicine safety brochure

Pill Reminders…
Can They Help?
 Easy

to open
Load, lock, use
 Locking
system
Prevents spills
 Difficult for kids
to open

 Convenient
for
home or travel

Good reminder at
home or away
Medicine Journal or Diary
 Keep
track of…
Questions or
problems related
to your medicine
 Blood pressure
&/or blood sugar
readings

 Take
with you to:
Doctor’s office
 Pharmacy

While I Have
Your Attention…
 Medicines
are not the only way
seniors can have problems
 Consider mistakes that can lead
to accidental poisonings for
seniors and/or family members
What Could Possibly Hurt
Me Around My Home?
 Faulty furnaces and
heaters produce
deadly carbon
monoxide
 Mixing chemicals can
cause noxious fumes
 “Seeing” without
glasses leads to
mistakes
 Spoiled food looks
like edible food
Think About Mistakes &
“Oops Moments”
 Info on how to make
your home safe and
poison-free for
yourselves and the
grandkids
 Find out how to be
safe with medicines
 Wonder why
accidents can
happen to the best
of us?
Look-Alike Products
“Mistaken identity” leads to problems
 Cleaners mixed up with sport drinks?
 Comet cleanser or Parmesan cheese?
 Candy looks like kid’s vitamins
 Plants and mushrooms – edible or
poison?
 Taking the wrong medicine or
dose?
 Call the poison center for advice!
1-800-222-1222

Take Charge of Your Health
Thank
You