Medicines, or drugs, come as either prescription or over-the-counter. Prescription drugs are used under a doctor's care. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can be bought and used without a doctor's prescription, and you buy them at a drug store or grocery store. When using any kind of drug, it's important to read the drug label for instructions. Not following the instructions can hurt your health. Read the label each time you use a drug, just in case there have been changes to it since the last time you used it. See the drug labels below to know what to look for. If you read the label and still have questions, call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for help. How to Read a Prescription Drug Label (A text version of a Prescription Label is available here.) How to Read an Over the Counter Drug Label(A text version of an Over the Counter Label is available here.)
PolypharmacyPolypharmacy is when a person is taking more drugs than needed. Because older adults tend to take more medicines, polypharmacy is a concern. Make sure you tell your doctor about all the drugs (both prescription and over-the-counter) you are taking. If your doctor knows all the medicines you are taking, she or he can make sure you don't have any harmful interactions and that you aren't taking something you don't need. Drug AbuseDrug abuse is seen in people of all ages, races, and economic situations. Older adults are particularly at risk of prescription drug abuse because they tend to take more drugs. Older adults are most likely to abuse anti-anxiety drugs (such as Valium or Xanax), oral narcotics (such as codeine), or sleeping pills. If you're taking a higher dosage than your doctor recommends or if you're taking your drugs more often, you may have a problem. If you think you may have a problem, talk to your doctor. It is nothing to be ashamed of, and your doctor can help. When to See a DoctorAs you get older, it becomes more important to see your doctor on a regular basis. Keep in mind, if you're having pain or other serious health problems, you should always see your doctor right away or call 911. Refer to our Symptoms of Serious Health Condions brochure for a list of symptoms that could be signs of a serious health condition. Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM)The term complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used to describe a group of medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently regarded as conventional medicine. A few studies have looked at the effectiveness of CAM therapies, but for most there are still questions that need to be answered. Key questions include: Are these therapies safe? Do these therapies work at treating the diseases or medical conditions for which they are used? The list of what is considered to be CAM changes all the time, as therapies proven to be safe and effective are adopted by conventional health care and as new approaches to health care emerge.
For more information, visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. More ResourcesCurrent as of October 2007 |
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