ESL Health Unit
Unit Five
Taking Medications
Lesson One
Managing Your Medications
Reading and Writing Practice
Intermediate
Goals for this lesson:
Below are some of the goals of this lesson. Which ones are your
goals too? Check (√) them.
 Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist
 Identify ways to cut costs when purchasing medications
 Review indefinite pronouns (someone, anyone, nothing…)
Lesson One: Managing Your Medications
Reading and Writing Practice
Before You Read!
In this lesson, you will read about Lena and Youssef’s problems taking their
medications.
Activity One:
Before you read, discuss the following questions with your classmates and
teacher.
1. What kind of medications do you take regularly? Which of these are
prescription medications? Which are over the counter medications?
Prescription medications
Over the counter medications
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2
2. If you take several kinds of medication each day, how do you
remember to take them at the right time? Do you ever forget? What
do you do if you forget to take your medication?
Before we go on: a quick review of indefinite pronouns
IndefinitefPronouns
Indefinite pronouns and adjectives are words used to refer to people or
things non-specifically rather than specifically.
Although an indefinite pronoun may refer to someone or something specific,
it refers to them in general with the notion of all, some, any, or none.
Some common indefinite pronouns are:
Singular:
another
both
everything
nothing
any
each
neither
one
anybody
either
nobody
somebody
anyone
everybody
none
someone
anything
everyone
no one
something
Plural:
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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all
few
more
much
several
both
many
most
plenty
some
Examples:
singular - Somebody was supposed to pick up my prescription.
plural - Many of us are on blood pressure medicine.
Indefinite pronouns can only be classified as pronouns if they are used
alone. If they are used with a noun, then they become indefinite adjectives.
Examples:
pronoun: Both agreed that surgery was the only solution.
adjective: Both doctors agreed that surgery was the only solution.
"Both" becomes an indefinite adjective in the second
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sentence because it modifies the noun "doctors."
pronoun: Several (of the patients) are taking multiple medications.
adjective: I am taking several medications.
"Several" becomes an indefinite adjective in the second
sentence because it modifies the noun “medications"
Fill in the gaps with somebody, anybody, nobody, something, anything,
nothing, somewhere, anywhere or nowhere.
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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1. I read __________ about this drug in the newspaper yesterday. They said
it can damage your heart.
2. __________ goes to the Center anymore because they started charging
for classes.
3. I’m not sure where her office is. I think it might be __________ near the
library.
4. __________ could have taken you to the pharmacy. Please ask us if
you need help!
5. __________ scares him. He's very brave.
6. There is __________ to park here. Let's go __________ else to park.
7. Would you like __________ to drink?
8. Should I be taking __________ for my indigestion?
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9. The nurse took him __________ back though that hallway about fifteen
minutes ago.
10. She doesn’t take __________ for her diabetes. She tries to manage it by
watching her diet and exercising.
11. She needs __________ to talk to. She's very lonely.
12. He is very stubborn. He got angry with his doctor and says he won’t see
him __________.
13. There isn't __________ you can do to help him. __________ can help
him.
14. We do not need __________ to help us with the house. We can do it
ourselves.
15. __________ is ringing the bell. Go and see who it is.
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16. __________ phoned while we were out, but they did not leave a
message.
17. __________ told me that __________ is going to the party .
18. They are looking for __________ that is in a nicer neighborhood. They
want to find a quiet place to lead a quiet life.
19. I will live __________ as long as it is close to my daughter
20.Is there __________ at home who can help you with this?
Health Watch: Tips to Remember and Stay on Your Medications
The first step to staying on your medication is to understand what you are
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taking and why.
•
Ask your doctor what you are being treated for and how each
medicine helps.
•
Know the side effects of any medications you are taking. You can find
this out by asking your doctor or pharmacist.
•
Ask your doctor how your medicine works with your other
medications and the foods you eat. For example: Some medicines
work best if you take them with food, and others work best if you take
them at bedtime.
•
Ask your doctor what to do if you miss a dose of medicine or have
problems with side effects. It is important that you keep your doctor
informed of how the medicine is working for you. It may be useful to
ask your doctor for help in completing a chart on all of your medicines
that includes the name of the medication, what the medication is being
taken for, when to take it, what side effects to watch for, and whom to
call if you should have a problem.
Remembering to take your medicine is important. Some ways to help
yourself remember to take your medicine could be:
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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•
Daily reminders are often helpful when scheduling your medication
doses. Try to time taking your medicine around activities that you do
daily such as setting your alarm clock, brushing your teeth, eating
your meals, going to work, or doing other daily activities. Once you
have the routine down it will become a habit (for example, taking your
daily meds before you brush your teeth by putting the prescription
bottle next to your toothbrush).
•
Setting your watch alarm to go off when it's time to take your
medicine.
•
Placing a reminder card in a visible place.
•
Having a family member or a friend remind you.
•
Use a medication box that will hold your entire day's supply of
medicine. This will let you know if you missed a dose of medicine.
If you have tried these tricks and still have trouble remembering your
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. It may be possible to simplify
your medication schedule or to put your medicine in special containers
called blister packs to help you.
Your Pharmacist Can Help Too
One of the most important services a pharmacist can offer is to talk to you
about your medicines. A pharmacist can help you understand how and when
to take your medicines, what side effects you might expect, or what
interactions may occur. A pharmacist can answer your questions privately in
the pharmacy or over the telephone.
Here are some other ways your pharmacist can help:
•
Many pharmacists keep track of medicines on their computer. If you
buy your medicines at one store and tell your pharmacist all the overthe-counter and prescription medicines or dietary supplements you
take, your pharmacist can help make sure your medicines don't
interact harmfully with one another.
•
Ask your pharmacist to place your prescription medicines in easy-toopen containers if you have a hard time taking off child-proof caps
and do not have young children living in or visiting your home.
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(Remember to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of
children.)
•
Your pharmacist may be able to print labels on prescription medicine
containers in larger type, if reading the medicine label is hard for you.
•
Your pharmacist may be able to give you written information to help
you learn more about your medicines. This information may be
available in large type or in a language other than English. Your
pharmacist can help keep track of your medicines.
Information adapted from MedicineNet.com
Reading One - Lena’s List of Medications
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Next read Lena’s story and answer the questions that follow with your
classmates and teacher. As you are discussing your answers, notice how
and when you use indefinite articles and make sure to try to use them
correctly!
My name is Lena and I am 75 years old. Every time I go to the doctor he
puts me on something new. You can look at my medicine chest and see all
of the bottles. I got something for my eyes, blood pressure, I hurt my foot
and he gave me a pain killer. I started to get nervous and he gave me these
Paxil pills. I know he is a good doctor and he is trying to help, but it is
really hard for me to remember when to take what pills – there are so many
and sometimes I forget, did I take that pill or not today? And sometimes I
can’t even get the caps off the bottles. So I just stopped taking all of it – its
crazy all of these drugs anyway!
This story was generated by the course developer for instructional purposes.
Questions:
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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1. What is Lena’s problem?
2. What has Lena decided to do about her problem?
3. Do you think this is a good solution?
4. If you were Lena, what would you do to solve this problem?
Reading Two - Youssef’s Problem
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Next read Youssef’s story and answer the questions that follow with your
classmates and teacher. Again, as you answer, notice how and when you
use indefinite articles and make sure to try to use them correctly!
My name is Youssef. The last time I counted, I think I was on six
different prescription medications plus I take an over the counter medication
to help me sleep and sometimes I take Tylenol when I get a headache. I
know that I’ve got to take my blood pressure medicine and I got one to help
me lower my cholesterol, but the rest of them I’m not sure about – and they
are really expensive – so, I only buy the ones I need the most. Also, the
directions are complicated and I have trouble reading the labels. When I am
at my doctor’s office I ask the nurse to explain but sometimes by the time I
get home I forget. Luckily, my neighbor is on some of the same medications
so he tells me what to do when I have a problem. He’s a big help.
This story was generated by the course developer for instructional purposes.
Questions:
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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1. What is Youssef’s problem?
2. What is Youssef’s solution to his problem?
3. Do you think this is a good solution?
4. If you were Youssef, what would you do to solve this problem?
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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Health Watch: Cutting Costs
The cost of medications is a serious concern for older people, most of whom
must pay for drugs out of pocket. Even those who have insurance to
supplement Medicare must often pay a percentage of the cost of their
medicines.
For a new prescription, don't buy a whole bottle but ask for just a few pills.
You may have side effects from the medication and have to switch. If you
buy just a few, you won't be stuck with a costly bottle of medicine you can't
take.
For ongoing conditions, buy medications in the largest quantities you can.
Do this only if you know your body tolerates them well, since it's not usually
possible to return medications.
Call around for the lowest price. Pharmacy prices can vary greatly. If you
find a drug cheaper elsewhere, ask your regular pharmacist if he or she can
match the price.
Other ways to make your prescription dollars go further include:
•
Ask for a senior citizen discount.
Ask
for a generic
equivalent.
These non-brand
ESL•Health
Unit/Intermediate,
Unit
Five: Taking Medication
substitutes are tested to
be sure they are chemically identical to the original, and they deliver
17
ESL Health Unit
Unit Five
Taking Medications
Lesson One
Managing Your Medications
Listening and Speaking Practice
Intermediate
Goals for this lesson:
Below are some of the goals of this lesson. Which ones are your goals too?
Check (√) them.




Learn ways to remember and stay on your medications.
Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist
Review adverbs of frequency (often, frequently, never…)
Read and understand prescription and over-the-counter medication
labels
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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Lesson One: Managing Your Medications
Listening and Speaking Practice
Before You Listen!
Activity One:
The
National
Council
on
Patient
Information
and
Education
www.talkaboutrx.org suggests that before you leave the doctor's office with
a new prescription, you should ask the list of questions below. Read through
the list with your classmates and teachers and then discuss the questions that
follow:
•
What is the name of the medicine and what is it supposed to do? Is
there a less expensive alternative?
•
How and when do I take the medicine and for how long?
•
Whether to take it with water, food, or with a special medicine, or at
the same time as other medicines.
•
Can it be taken with over-the-counter medicines? If so, when?
•
What to do if you miss or forget a dose.
•
Whether you take it before, during, or after meals.
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•
The timing between each dose. For example, does "four times a day"
mean you have to take it in the middle of the night?
•
What your doctor means by "as needed."
•
Are there any other special instructions to follow?
•
What foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements, or activities
should I avoid while taking this medicine?
•
Will any tests or monitoring be required while I am taking this
medicine? Do I need to report back to the doctor?
•
What are the possible side effects and what do I do if they occur?
•
When should I expect the medicine to start working, and how will I
know if it is working?
•
Will this new prescription work safely with the other prescription and
over-the-counter medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?
Questions:
1.
When you leave the doctor’s office with a prescription for a new
medication, do you usually feel like you know enough about that
medication, what it does, how and when to take it…?
2. Think about the list above. When you talk to your doctor about a new
medication, do you usually ask these questions?
Would you feel
comfortable asking these questions? Why or why not?
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Health Watch: A list of Questions for Your Pharmacist
The National Council on Patient Information and Education also suggests
that at the pharmacy, or wherever you get your medicines, you should ask
the following questions about your prescriptions:
•
Do you have a patient profile form for me to fill out? Does it include
space for my over-the-counter drugs and my dietary supplements?
•
Is there written information about my medicine? Ask the pharmacist if
it's available in large print or in a language other than English if you
need it.
•
What is the most important thing I should know about this medicine?
Ask the pharmacist any questions that may not have been answered by
your doctor.
•
Can I get a refill? If so, when?
•
How and where should I store this medicine?
Information adapted from MedicineNet.com
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Listening One: Medications Counseling
**Note to teacher: Do not pass out the written message in the box below.
Record it onto a cassette (if possible with someone to play the second role in
the dialogue) and have students listen to the recording. Play once or twice
before they begin to listen for specific information.
Now you will listen to conversation between Ramone and a pharmacist who
works at his medical center.
medications he is taking.
Ramone has many questions about the
Listen to suggestions that pharmacist gives
Ramone and then discuss the questions that follow with your classmates and
teacher.
Ramone:
My doctor has me on so many medications right now.
For me they all look alike. I’m so frustrated I’m
thinking
about stopping a couple of my medications
because I
don’t think I need them anymore.
Pharmacist:
Ramone, really you should take your medicines for the
whole time they are prescribed, even if you feel
better. If
you think you no longer need a prescription
medicine you
are taking, ask your doctor to check
how well it is
working, whether you still need
to take it, and, if so,
whether there is anything you
can do (like lowering fats
in your diet or exercising more)
to cut back
or, in time, stop needing the
medicine. Don't stop taking
the medicine on your
own without first talking with your
doctor.
And, Ramone, its not so hard to figure out a system for
being able to you’re your medications apart is it?
You
could organize them by size, shape, color, or
maybe by
the container they come in. There are
special containers
with different colored caps and
different sections for
organizing your medications – maybe
we could get you
some of those to help you out?
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Ramone:
get out
That sounds great…but what about at night. Many of my
medications need to be taken during the night. I
of bed and I am groggy, I can’t see and I am
supposed to take pills like this?
Pharmacist:
Do you have children or pets living with you at home?
Ramone:
No.
Pharmacist:
Then I suggest you place the pills you will need during
the night on your bedside table. Turn on the light
make sure you're taking the right medicine at the
time. You could set a loud alarm to wake yourself
the right time – something you can’t ignore!
and
right
up at
Ramone:
worried
there.
And what about when I travel? I am flying out to see my
daughter’s family in a couple of weeks and I am
about taking my medications while I am
Pharmacist:
Oh I know. Taking your medication is even harder when
you are traveling. Make sure before you go that
you ask
your doctor how to adjust your medicine
schedule to
account for changes in time, routine, and
diet. Bring the
phone numbers of your doctors and
pharmacy with you
in case you need to get a refill.
Since you are flying, my
suggestion is to make sure you
take all of your medicines
with you on the plane; do
not pack them in your checked
luggage. And always
keep your medicines out of heat and
direct sunlight.
Ramone:
time
older.
or I try
this also gets
Actually, what I really hate the most about taking my
pills is swallowing them. I have always had a hard
swallowing pills but it seems to get worse as I get
Sometimes I try to break them so they are smaller
to chew them but I can’t always do it and
me off schedule.
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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Pharmacist:
Never break or chew tablets without first asking a health
professional about it. Not being able to swallow
pills is a
really common problem. Let’s take a look
at your
prescriptions and see if maybe there is
a liquid medicine
you could use or maybe you can crush
your tablets.
And, you know, if you think your schedule for your
medications is too complicated, and you can’t keep
up
with it, talk about it with your doctor. He may have
another medicine or ideas that better fits
your lifestyle.
For example, if taking medicine four
times a day is a
problem for you, maybe the doctor
can give you a
medicine you only need to take
once or twice a day. The
most important thing is you tell
your doctor about how
you are feeling - that way he
can help you come up with
a system that works for
you!
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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Activity One:
Ramone tells his pharmacist about several problems he is experiencing with
taking his medications.
In the box below, write down the advice the
pharmacist gives Ramone about each problem/question.
Ramone’s Problem/Question
I’m so frustrated I’m thinking about
The Pharmacist’s Advice
stopping a couple of my medications
because I don’t think I need them
anymore.
Many of my medications need to be
taken during the night. I get out of
bed and I am groggy, I can’t see and
I am supposed to take pills like this?
I am flying out to see my daughter’s
family in a couple of weeks and I am
worried about taking my medications
there.
I have always had a hard time
swallowing pills but it seems to get
worse as I get older. Sometimes I try
to break them so they are smaller or I
try to chew them but I can’t always
do it and this also gets me off
schedule.
Talk About It!
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Before we begin, let’s review how to use adverbs of frequency when
speaking and writing English.
Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of Frequency answer the question "How often?" or "How
frequently?" They tell us how often somebody does something.
Adverbs of frequency come before the main verb (except the main verb "to
be"):
•
We usually go shopping on Saturday.
•
I have often forgotten to take my medicine.
•
She is always late.
Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the
beginning or end of a sentence:
•
Sometimes I have problems swallowing my medication.
•
I have problems understanding the labels occasionally.
Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with "very"):
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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•
I talk to the doctor about my medications rarely.
•
John goes to the pharmacy very seldom.
Adverbs of frequency express a continuum of meaning with “always”
meaning 100% of the time, never meaning 0% of the time and all of the
other adverbs falling in between:
100%
50%
0%
Now check your understanding by filling in the gaps with the
always
usually
correct adverb of frequency (there may be more than one
frequently
often
correct answer.)
sometimes
occasionally
rarely
seldom
1. My sister and I (30%) __________ go to the doctor
hardly ever
never
together.
2. Andrea (90%) __________ keeps her medications organized in colorcoded containers.
3. I (20%) __________take the time to organize my medications.
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4. I have (0%) __________ asked my pharmacists for help managing my
medications.
5. Eleanor (40%) _________ forgets to take her medication.
Activity One:
Read the following medication labels and answer the questions that follow
with your classmates and teacher.
PRESCRIPTION LABEL ONE:
________________________________
CVS Pharmacy
PH: 215-662-0333
3915 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
RX: 376083
Prescriber: Dr. Judy Summers
Take one tablet twice a day.
ADALET
10 MG TABLETS
QTY 30
1 Refill
Rph. Larry Gross
Date Filled: 4/23/04
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Take with food.
May cause disorientation or dizziness. Avoid driving or
operating machinery while taking this medication.
_________________________________________
If you were prescribed this medication,
1. How many pills should you take every day?
2. How often should you take it?
3. Can you take it on an empty stomach?
4. What are the side effects?
5. What is the name of the pharmacist?
6. What is the prescription number?
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
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PRESCRIPTION LABEL TWO:
__________________________________________
CVS Pharmacy
PH:
215-662-0333
3915 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
RX: 376083
Prescriber: Dr. Judy Summers
Take two tablets per day, one in AM and one in PM.
LOZOL
5 MG TABLETS
QTY 25
2 Refills
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
30
Rph. Larry Gross
Date Filled: 4/23/04
May be taken with or without food.
May cause headache.
May cause skin rash.
_______________________________________________
If you were prescribed this medication,
1. How many pills should you take every day?
2. What is the name of the medication?
3. What is the name of the pharmacist?
4. What are the side effects?
5. What is the prescription number?
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6. How many refills do you have?
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
32
Health Watch: Understand Over-the-Counter Drug Labels
•
Reading the product label is the most important part of taking care of
yourself or your family when using over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
(those that are available without a prescription). This is especially true
because you probably take OTC medicines without first seeing a
doctor.
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
33
Discuss the following statements with your classmates and teacher. For
each one, fill in the gap with an adverb of frequency and explain why.
I ____________ ask my doctor:
•
The name of the medicine she is prescribing and what it is supposed
to do
•
If there is a generic equivalent that I can buy that might be cheaper.
•
How and when I should take the medicine, how much to take, and for
how long.
•
What food, drinks, other medicines, or activities I should avoid while
taking the medicine.
•
If the medicine will interfere with other medicines I take
•
What side effects the medicine may have and what to do if they occur
•
If there is written information in my native language that I can take
home.
I __________:
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
34
•
Throw away expired medicines.
•
Keep medicines in their original containers or in containers with
sections for daily doses (see box below).
•
Stop taking medicines your doctor has prescribed when I feel better.
•
Drink alcohol while on a medicine.
• Share medications with others
ESL Health Unit
Unit Five
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
35
Taking Medications
Lesson One
Managing Your Medications
Real Practice
Intermediate
Goals for this lesson:
Below are some of the goals of this lesson. Which ones are your goals too?
Check (√) them.




Learn ways to remember and stay on your medications.
Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist
Review adverbs of frequency (often, frequently, never…)
Read and understand prescription and over-the-counter medication
labels
Lesson One: Managing Your Medications
Real Practice!
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
36
One easy way to help you and your doctor better manage your medical
treatment is to keep an accurate, up-to-date Medicine log. Fill in the log
with each medication you take, your reason for taking it, the doctor who
prescribed the medication and any information about how long you have
taken the medication and any side effects you have experienced. Make
copies to keep at home for easy access in case of an emergency as well as to
bring to your doctor’s appointment.
Medicine Log
Prescription Medicine Log
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
37
(make copies as needed.)
Reason
Medicine
Prescribed Date
Side
Color/Shape For
Name/Dose
By
Started/Stopped Effects/notes
Taking
(sample:)
Precose
Take at each
White/round Diabetes Dr.Johnson 5/98 to present
50mg 3 x
start of meal
day
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Over-The-Counter Medicine Log
(make copies as needed.) List Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, too.
Reason For
Name/Dose
How Often
Side Effects/Notes
Taking
(sample:) Tums
1 tablet 2x
Get Calcium
None
500mg
Daily
1.
2.
3.
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
38
4.
5.
A Thematic Unit for ©
Intermediate
copyright 2001Level ESL Teachers
Intermediate Level, Unit Five: Taking Medication
Seniors
Health@Home
Online
Lesson One:
Managing
Your
Medications
American Institute for Preventive Medicine
Checklist for Learning
Vocabulary Log:
In the space below, write down all of the new words you learned during this
lesson that you want to remember. Try to separate your list of words into
nouns (person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words) and verbs (action
words). For extra practice use them in sentences of your own.
New words I learned during this lesson:
Nouns:
Adjectives:
Verbs:
What can you do?
Below are some of the language goals you worked on during this lesson. Check
(√) what you learned from this lesson. Add more ideas if you wish.
I learned to…
 Learn ways to remember and stay on your medications.
 Discuss important questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist
Health
Review
adverbs ofUnit
frequency
frequently, never…)
ESL
Unit/Intermediate,
Five: Taking(often,
Medication
 Read and understand prescription and over-the-counter medication
39
labels
 _________________________________________________________
ESL Health Unit/Intermediate, Unit Five: Taking Medication
40