You and your pharmacist
"The labels were so hard to read. I asked my pharmacist to use bigger type on the label. She did it gladly.What a help!"
Before you leave the pharmacy, be sure to:
- Check the label on your medicine.
- Make sure the bottle has your name on it.
- Make sure the directions are the same ones your doctor talked with you about. If not, tell the pharmacist.
- Ask for an easy-open cap if you have trouble opening the cap. Be sure to keep all medicines out of reach of children.
- And, most important—make sure you can read and understand the directions on the container.
| Staying on a medicine plan is not always easy. Ask friends and family for help. Pull out this brochure often to help you take charge of your health. Follow these hints to make sure you take your medicines the right way—each day. |
The medicine you take
Fill in the form below. Go over your medicine list with your doctor at each visit.Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about your medicines.Take this brochure with you.
| | Name of medicine | Amount
I take | When and
how often | What
It's for |
|---|
| 1 | | | | |
| 2 | | | | |
| 3 | | | | |
| 4 | | | | |
| 5 | | | | |
| 6 | | | | |
| 7 | | | | |
| 8 | | | | |
| 9 | | | | |
| 10 | | | | |
Learn more about medicine safety
The Food and Drug Administration has information for older people about medicines, safety, and ways to lower medicine costs on its Web site at www.fda.gov. Some booklets can be ordered by calling the FDA toll-free at 1-888-463-6332, or writing to:
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
For the free booklet, Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People, call the National Institute on Aging Information Center toll-free at 1-800-222-2225 or go to www.nia.nih.gov and click on Publications. The toll-free TTY line for people who are deaf is 1-800-222-4225.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
NIH Publication Number 04-7348
March 2007
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