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Medication Adherence

Know your meds! Every appointment, every time.

Why It’s Important to Have a List of Your Medications

It’s important to have and carry a list of your medications with you. When you have your list of medications on-hand, you can quickly answer questions about your medication during check-ups, appointments, or pharmacy visits. This is also helpful in the case of an emergency when you are being cared for by an unfamiliar provider or emergency services personnel who need to know what medication you are currently on and any medication allergies you may have. Saving your medication list as a picture on your smartphone is an efficient method of saving this information; a hand-printed list in your wallet is also helpful!

What Should Be on My Medications List?

Your medications list should have enough information that you and your provider will be able to easily understand what you are taking, how much you are taking, and why. Some important information to have about your medicine is:

  • The name of your medication: are you taking a brand name or generic form of your medication?
  • The dosage: how much of this medication do you take?
  • The frequency: how often are you taking this medication and what time of day?
  • Medication requirements: does this medication have to be taken with food, water, or on an empty stomach? 
  • Why you were prescribed this medication: why are you taking this medication? What does this medication treat?
  • Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications and supplements: Be sure to include any non-prescription or OTC medications you may be taking as well as any vitamins or dietary or herbal supplements. 
  • Allergies: Make a note of any allergies you have, especially medication-related allergies as well as any sensitivities or reactions you’ve had to prescription or OTC medications. It’s important your provider and care team are aware of these when prescribing any new medications so they can advise you on related drugs that you should avoid.

Prepare for Your Visit

Medication reconciliation is an important part of each visit with your provider to ensure your care team has accurate information for you in your medical records. If there is anything about your medication that you don’t know the answer to, i.e.: your prescribed dose is different than what you were advised to take or you’re not sure why you were prescribed a certain medication, be sure to note those questions for your visit.

Print out, show, or bring your list of medications with you, take a picture of your medication labels, or ask your pharmacy for a list of medications you are currently taking. This will allow you to confirm with your provider what medications you may be due for refills on, and reconcile any outdated prescriptions still on file. It is also a great time to address any missing information on your medication list and to ask any questions you may have about your medication.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR PROVIDER’S OFFICE

There are a few things you should do before you leave your provider’s office:

  • Make sure your medication records are up-to-date. Don’t be afraid to ask your provider or nurse to update the records during your visit
  • Ask your provider to print out your updated list of medications before you leave. Take a picture of your medication list with your smartphone.
  • Compare this with your pharmacy’s list and see if your provider needs to update the pharmacy for you.
  • If you are starting a new medication or your provider is advising you to change your dosage on your current medication, ask them what you should expect in terms of side effects, as well as some signs to look out for that would require you to contact your provider or emergency services.
  • If you are unsure how to take the medication or if someone else will be administering the medication for you; i.e: an injection or via an implant, ask your provider or pharmacist how to best manage your medication dosage so you or the person administering your medication feel confident following your medication plan.

Patient safety is always a priority at Crystal Run Healthcare. When patients are actively involved in their health care, adhering to treatment plans, and taking medications as prescribed, they have the best chance of achieving optimal outcomes.

Many people take medication for a variety of reasons. To handle occasional sickness. To manage conditions. To stay healthy. With any medication, prescription (Rx) or over-the-counter (OTC), it is important to understand the best way to take your medication. As there are different medications used to treat different health issues, there are also many differences in how to take each medication. For example, you may have asked yourself:

  • When exactly should I take my medicine?
  • Is it safe to take vitamins when I take my prescription medicine?
  • Now that I feel better, can I stop taking this medicine?

Medication is prescribed to help you. But it can hurt if you take too much or mix medications that don’t go together. Every year preventable medical issues occur because of people taking the wrong medication or not taking the right medications correctly. It is important for patients to take an active role in their health by working with their providers, pharmacist, and other healthcare professionals to best manage their health conditions and medications.

Take your meds! Every day, on time.

Do you often skip or forget to take one or more of your medications?
Did you know that you will not see the full benefit of your medication if you forget to take it more than 1 day each week?

Patients who take their medications everyday experience:

  • fewer hospitalizations,
  • fewer emergency room visits,
  • have shorter hospital stays,
  • lower healthcare costs,
  • and are less likely to be diagnosed with complications of their disease.

Don’t wait until you are out of pills to ask for refills.
Request refills through your patient portal ahead of time or give us a call at 845.703.6999.

Having difficulty paying your medication copays?
Tell us today! A lower-cost alternative may exist on your pharmacy formulary.

Is it hard to get to the pharmacy to pick up refills?
Ask your doctor and your pharmacy for a 90-day supply or use a mail-order pharmacy and have your medications shipped to your door!

Downloads & Resources

My Medication List Sample