My Medicine Record.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a special form to help people keep track of their prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements. It is called My Medicine Record. People can print the record from the FDA Web site and fill out the form by hand, or they can complete the form on a computer and then print it. With a computer, people can update and save their medicine record.

The FDA suggests that people keep their medicine record up-to-date and take it with them every time they visit a doctor, pharmacy or hospital. This makes it easier for healthcare providers to check for possible drug interactions, make treatment recommendations and update patient records. My Medicine Record can be printed from the FDA Web site here.

MUST For Seniors™.

An educational program called MUST for Seniors™ helps older adults and caregivers avoid problems with their medicine(s) and recognize and manage common drug side effects. The program is a national effort to promote safe and appropriate use of medicines. It provides information for seniors and their caregivers, along with resources for community outreach. MUST stands for “Medicine Use Safety Training.” It is sponsored by the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), a non-profit coalition of more than 100 organizations.

Here are some of the program’s medicine safety tips:

• Know your medicines, including the names, reasons for taking them and possible side effects.
• Take your medicines exactly as directed.
• Continue taking your medicines until your healthcare provider says to stop.
• Keep a current list of all your medicines.
• Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medicines.
• Double check your prescriptions when you pick them up at the pharmacy. Make sure that your name, name of the medicine and dosage are correct.
• Check expiration dates. Do not use old or expired medicines.
• Keep your medicines in a cool and dry place unless you are given different instructions.
• Store your medicines in one location. Keep them in a place that is safe from children.
• Use only one pharmacy.
• Do not share your medicines with other people.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have any problems with your medicines.

MUST for Seniors™ has a list of “Questions to Ask your Healthcare Team” and much more useful material. For more information, visit the program’s Web site at www.mustforseniors.org.