Do you ever wonder if you’re taking too many pills? “Poly-pharmacy,” or taking multiple prescription medications every day, includes necessary medications that are necessary for your health maintenance. But, studies have also shown that taking several different medications has been associated with more frequent falls, hospitalizations, and skipping doses/missing medications needed for treatment.
Sometimes a doctor may add a medication during an appointment or a hospitalization, intending to change or replace another medication, but instead both are continued in error. Or a medication is prescribed, but the accompanying lab test that is required for monitoring, is accidentally overlooked by either the provider or patient. Often, the cost of the medication is only discovered when the patient goes to pick it up, and then decides to forgo the medication because they can’t afford it. Then the provider may learn of this only when the patient becomes even sicker and requires more care.
It is never a good idea to stop taking any medication without consulting your doctor, but there are important steps to take to make sure you are taking only what is necessary, getting the best value for your money, managing adverse effects, simplifying dosage and times, and ensuring you are receiving the right monitoring of the drug that you are taking.
First, have an annual review of all of your medications with your doctor or provider. Make an appointment just for this and nothing else. It isn’t enough to verbalize a list of the names of your meds to the medical assistant that takes your vital signs in the exam room. Instead, make a list of your medications with columns for why you take it, what the dosage is, when you take it, and why it is or isn’t working, and any symptoms you’ve noticed while taking it.
Show this list to the doctor or provider and ask the following:
- Are all of these medications still needed? Can any be combined into one pill?
- Are they being taken at the right time of day? (Some medications work best on an empty stomach, some should always be taken with food).
- Can any of the symptoms I am having be attributed as a side effect of these medications?
- Are there any lab tests that should be regularly monitored while taking the medication?
- Are there less expensive medications that are equally as effective? Would a mail order prescription or cost savings plan help save on cost?
Medicine and healthcare today can be complex with multiple providers, and multiple treatments. Good Communication is the key to coordinating your best care. Always be honest with your providers and don’t be afraid to say that you can’t afford a medication, or feel hesitant about taking it. These concerns can only be worked through if the provider knows about it, and there are always options! Using pill boxes or “smart” pill boxes may help you to keep organized and serve as reminders. As always, we must be strong advocates for ourselves and our loved ones when it comes to our healthcare. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!