You and
your medication
www.agecymru.org.uk
Registered Charity 1128436
You and your medication
Your doctors, nurses and pharmacists work hard to
keep you healthy, and you also have an important
role to play in maintaining your health. Ask questions,
expect answers, it’s your life and your health.
This leaflet gives you general information about
how to take your medications safely and it will help
you take ownership of your health.
The word ‘medication’ can mean different things to different people,
when we use it in this leaflet, it includes:
• over the counter medication, like painkillers
• inhalers or other sprays
• creams and ointments
•herbal remedies, vitamins or other supplements that you
have bought.
Ask your local pharmacist for a free medication review.
They will be able to talk with you about your medication and
how best to take them.
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10 key points
1 F ind out about your
conditions/ illnesses and
make sure you know which
medication you are taking to
treat each one.
ll medication should come
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with a leaflet that explains
how to take them properly.
the space in this booklet
3 Use
on page 10 to keep a record
of the medications you are
taking.
ake a note of:
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•the name and strength
and what you call each
medication; how many
you take and how often
•include other medication
you take regularly such as
any vitamins, nutritional
supplements or herbal
products that you have
bought
•include any allergies that
you may have to food or
medications.
the list each time you
5 Take
visit the doctor, dentist,
optician and any out of
hours clinic.
eep your list safe and
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make sure your carers and
relatives know where to find
it in an emergency.
our medication is individual
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to you; never take someone
else’s. It may interfere with
your other medication or
you may be allergic to it.
eep your medication away
8 K
from children and animals
and don’t store them in a
sunny or humid place such
as the bathroom/kitchen as
it can affect them.
sk your pharmacist before
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you buy any other medication
or herbal remedies as they
may affect the way other
medication works.
10 Medications must be
disposed of safely at your
local pharmacist.
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At your hospital appointment
Take your medication with you to your appointment.
Ask:
•are there any changes to your medication and why
• is there any special information that you need to know, for
example, stopping any of your other medication.
When you next see your GP make sure that they know about any
changes and check that the surgery record has been updated. This is
especially important before ordering a repeat prescription.
Remember: update your medication list in this booklet with
any changes.
At your doctor’s surgery
You can ask your General Practitioner (GP) why you’re taking
medication, even if you have been on them for a while.
If new medication is prescribed for you, make sure you know what
it is called, why you need it, how to take it and if there are any likely
side effects.
Ask:
• if you will need any follow up checks, blood tests or blood pressure
checks
•if your GP surgery has a repeat prescription service and make sure
you know how it works
• y our local pharmacies if they offer a service to collect your
prescription from the surgery then deliver to your house.
Only order the medication you need
Remember: always check your medication against your
list in this booklet. Tablets and capsules can look different
when supplied from different pharmacies or different
manufacturers. If in doubt ask if you have the correct ones.
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Taking your medication
Read the label every time you take your medication, check you have
the right one and that you are following the instructions.
Some medication must be taken at set times or before or after meals
so that they work best. If you forget to take one dose at the right time
don’t double a dosage when you remember, just carry on as normal.
If your medication is interfering with your daily life ask if it is possible to
change the type or the dose to suit you. For example, water tablets are
designed to make you go to the toilet more often, so these are usually
taken first thing in the morning. If you decide to take it later in the day
you might find you have to get up a lot in the night.
Your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse can help you to choose the
best time to take your medication and suggest simple things
to help you remember when to take them.
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Side effects
Some medications have side effects, for example, stomach upsets
and changes to your normal bowel pattern. Any medication that
alters your vision, hearing or concentration may alter your balance
and judgement. Be careful if you get up quickly or rush to answer the
phone or door.
Read the leaflet that comes with your medication as it lists all the
possible side effects. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you if your
medication has any and what to do if you experience them.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns;
don’t just stop taking your medication as you may do more
harm than good.
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Alcohol and medication
Safe alcohol consumption is important to your general health and
well being. When you are ill the effect of alcohol may be greater than
normal. Drowsiness caused by certain medication is made worse by
alcohol, the medication leaflet will also say if this is a known problem.
Is it safe to drive while taking
medication?
Some medications can cause drowsiness and may affect your
ability to drive; these can include sedatives, strong painkillers or
antihistamines (commonly taken for allergies). Other medication may
alter your vision, hearing or concentration, which may also affect your
ability to drive.
Always read the leaflet that is provided with your medication
to see if it may affect your ability to drive or check with your
pharmacist or doctor.
Disposing of medications
Take any medications that you’re no longer taking or that are out of
date back to your local pharmacy; don’t keep them ‘just in case’. Don’t
throw them out with your normal rubbish, or wash them down the sink
or toilet.
Unless otherwise stated, medications not in their original container
should be disposed of within a year of the date that they were given to
you; this should be on the label.
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Using the internet wisely
Many internet sites offer good health information, but there is no
official control and anyone can set up a site. As a general rule look for
government, NHS and registered charity sites. NHS Direct Wales has a
good range of health advice www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
You can buy medication or get them dispensed using internet sites.
However, make sure that the site is regulated in the UK. Medication
bought from unregulated sites may not contain the drug you think it
does; they could be made anywhere in the world and not meet
UK standards.
Look out for the below registered pharmacy logo as this shows that
the site is regulated in the UK.
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Useful contacts
Age Cymru
Visit the health and wellbeing pages of the Age Cymru website to
find out more about healthy living: www.agecymru.org.uk
If you would like further information contact the Healthy Ageing Team
on 029 2043 1555 or [email protected]
Age UK Advice
Age Cymru is working in partnership with Age UK to provide Age UK Advice.
For free factsheets on a range of topics, ring Age UK Advice on:
0800 169 65 65 (freephone) open seven days a week from 07.00 – 19.00.
NHS Direct Wales
Tel: 0845 46 47 (local charge) 24 hours www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
NHS direct operates a 24 hour nurse advice and health information service.
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
(MHRA)
Tel: 020 7084 2000 (weekdays 09.00-17.00) www.mhra.gov.uk
Report side effects from your medication using their ‘Yellow Card Scheme’.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB)
Tel: 0845 257250 (weekdays 09.00-17.00) www.rpharms.com
Thanks to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Wales for their help
with this leaflet.
Follow us on:
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Tŷ John Pathy, 13/14 Neptune Court
Vanguard Way, Cardiff CF24 5PJ
Tel: 029 2043 1555
www.agecymru.org.uk
Supported by the Welsh Assembly Government
Age Cymru is a registered charity 1128436. Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales 6837284.
Registered office address: Tŷ John Pathy, 13/14 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff CF24 5PJ. ©Age Cymru 2011
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Enw’r feddyginiaeth
Yr hyn rwy’n ei galw
Name of medication What I call it
Faint sydd angen ei
chymryd a phryd (e.e.
gyda brecwast, cinio neu
swper)
Sylwadau/gwybodaeth
arall
How much to take and
Comments/other
when (e.g. with breakfast, information
lunch or dinner)
Your medication list
Eich rhestr meddyginiaeth