Doctronic

Understanding Your Medications: What You Need to Know

Alan Lucks | MD

Medically reviewed by Alan Lucks | MD, Alan Lucks MDPC Private Practice - New York on May 15th, 2024.

Key Takeaways

  • Taking medications exactly as prescribed—including timing, dose, and duration—is critical; studies show only 50% of patients with chronic conditions take medications correctly, leading to 125,000 preventable deaths annually.
  • Food interactions can dramatically affect drug absorption: grapefruit inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes increasing blood levels of statins and calcium channel blockers, while dairy reduces absorption of certain antibiotics and thyroid medications by up to 40%.
  • The "start low, go slow" principle applies especially to older adults, who metabolize drugs more slowly and experience adverse effects at 2-3 times the rate of younger patients on the same doses.
  • Generic medications contain identical active ingredients and must demonstrate bioequivalence (90-110% of brand-name absorption), making them therapeutically interchangeable while costing 80-85% less.
  • Keeping an updated medication list including OTC drugs and supplements prevents dangerous interactions—nearly 50% of adverse drug events involve interactions that could have been avoided with complete medication reconciliation.

Medications play a crucial role in managing various health conditions, from high blood pressure to autoimmune diseases and cancer. As a patient, it's essential to understand everything about the medications prescribed to you. While you don't need to become a pharmacology expert, you should feel comfortable asking your doctor questions about your medications.

Why Your Doctor Chose a Specific Medication

For every health condition, there are multiple medication options available. Ask your doctor why they selected a particular medication for you. Find out what the medicine is expected to do and how its effectiveness will be monitored. Be cautious if your doctor is prescribing a brand-new medication that they haven't used before with patients.

How to Take Your Medication Properly

Make sure you understand how to take your medication correctly. Ask about the following:

  • Should you take the medication in the morning or evening?

  • Should you take it on an empty stomach or after a meal?

  • What should you do if you miss a dose?

  • Can you drink alcohol or grapefruit juice while taking the medication?

  • Will you need to gradually increase the dose over time?

Understanding Potential Side Effects

All medications have potential side effects, even common over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen. Some common side effects include fatigue, weight gain, and headaches. More serious side effects, such as anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening. Keep track of any new symptoms you experience when starting a new medication and report them to your doctor.

Understanding Your Medications: What You Need to Know

Tracking Your Medication Experience

Keep a list of questions in a notebook or on your phone to ask during medical appointments. Consider using phone apps to track your response to medications and any side effects you experience. Make sure you understand how long you should try a medication before making adjustments or changes.

Communicating with Your Doctor

If a medication isn't working for you or you're concerned about side effects, speak up. Your doctor needs to know to make necessary adjustments or consider other options. Medication adherence starts with you, but treatment is a partnership. Ask questions to understand your treatment and work closely with your healthcare provider to find the best solution for your needs.

For more information on understanding the meaning of medications for patients, read this article from Pharmacy World and Science.

The Bottom Line

Understanding your medications empowers you to take them safely and effectively while recognizing potential problems early. Doctronic can review your medication list, check for interactions, and answer questions about your prescriptions.

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