Medication Review Resources

Posted by texasblooms @texasblooms, 2 days ago

Managing my medications feels like a part-time job, I'm juggling >ten meds, two supplements rec by Rheum, infusions and shots.
I'm concerned about the combination of meds I take at once, the time I take the meds, general drug interactions, and foods to avoid.
Is there a service that provides a medication review? Registered Dietitians and my pharmacy don't seem to be a fit.
Next week I see my PCP and will ask him the same question. In the meantime I was wondering if someone has suggestions.
Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

I use a website called Drugs.com.
The have a fill in app that goes over your drug list.
You will likely come up with interactions but most of them are minor
with no real problems. Any majors you can discuss with with your doctor or
pharmacist. I get my biologic through a specialty pharmacy at the university
with a PhD pharmacist to consult.
You will find several drug interaction checker sites on line.
EPIC MyChart has a current listing of all my drugs for my doctors to access.

REPLY
Profile picture for seniormed @seniormed

I use a website called Drugs.com.
The have a fill in app that goes over your drug list.
You will likely come up with interactions but most of them are minor
with no real problems. Any majors you can discuss with with your doctor or
pharmacist. I get my biologic through a specialty pharmacy at the university
with a PhD pharmacist to consult.
You will find several drug interaction checker sites on line.
EPIC MyChart has a current listing of all my drugs for my doctors to access.

Jump to this post

@seniormed Thank you for your reply. I am familiar with Drugs.com and for me it was a start.
Here's some questions I would ask. I take eight different medications after breakfast. Is it okay to take these meds at the same time? Are there foods to avoid or beneficial before I take these meds? For example, I found it helpful when I read it's best to take Curcumin with fat. (This is not a recommendation, just something I read.)
My pharmacy (large chain) does not red flag counter indications or provide medication reviews. Their pharmacists all PhD's.
Here's my situation. I have many doctors and take medications from most of them. My PCP asked me to keep a current list of meds organized alphabetically and by time of dosing. I bring a current list to each DR appointment. I am not a medical professional and want to know if I'm on the right path. What are my options? What can I do to optimize my treatment?
A DR wants to add another medication and it feels like it's too much. I declined and will talk with my PCP.
In a few days I'm going to a hand DR for the first time, I hope my current pain meds are ample.
Thank you for listening!

REPLY

At the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, you can request a sit down with a pharmacist. Don’t remember how I got the appointment.. The pharmacist will want you to bring all your medication’s and your supplements and they will go through each and everyone of them and if there is any concerns about reactions between them. I did this many years ago and it was very informative. You could also ask where you pick up your medication if they have someone that will sit down with you.
OK
I made a spreadsheet with four columns name of the medication’s
AM
PM
Last one any information I might need on a weekly base.
My doctors love it when I see them for the first time and so do the nurse It’s easy for me to do my meds once a week about what or when to take the meds.
I put yellow over the a.m. and a blue over the PM for a visual for me when I’m doing my meds
I make a copy for myself and I take one with me when I go to the doctor
If medicines change, then I make the change on the paper
I hope that helps you and gives you some more ideas. How you can make it easy for yourself.

REPLY
Profile picture for minnesota10 @minnesota10

At the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, you can request a sit down with a pharmacist. Don’t remember how I got the appointment.. The pharmacist will want you to bring all your medication’s and your supplements and they will go through each and everyone of them and if there is any concerns about reactions between them. I did this many years ago and it was very informative. You could also ask where you pick up your medication if they have someone that will sit down with you.
OK
I made a spreadsheet with four columns name of the medication’s
AM
PM
Last one any information I might need on a weekly base.
My doctors love it when I see them for the first time and so do the nurse It’s easy for me to do my meds once a week about what or when to take the meds.
I put yellow over the a.m. and a blue over the PM for a visual for me when I’m doing my meds
I make a copy for myself and I take one with me when I go to the doctor
If medicines change, then I make the change on the paper
I hope that helps you and gives you some more ideas. How you can make it easy for yourself.

Jump to this post

@minnesota10 Like you, I have a spreadsheet with my medications. There are two groups, one is over the counter, the other is prescription. In addition to the medication, I list the strength, dosage, when it is taken [a.m. or p.m., how many times a week] Also, which Dr prescribed it, when, and what it is used for. Whenever there is a change, it is noted. On the backside of this sheet is a list of the names, addresses and contact information for my medical team.

Too detailed? Not according to my providers!
Ginger

REPLY
Profile picture for Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw

@minnesota10 Like you, I have a spreadsheet with my medications. There are two groups, one is over the counter, the other is prescription. In addition to the medication, I list the strength, dosage, when it is taken [a.m. or p.m., how many times a week] Also, which Dr prescribed it, when, and what it is used for. Whenever there is a change, it is noted. On the backside of this sheet is a list of the names, addresses and contact information for my medical team.

Too detailed? Not according to my providers!
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw My method is similar. I do keep the list as a document on my computer so it can easily be updated. Even though the doctor's office stresses "Bring your medication in the bottles" when I bring out the list, they are very happy.

REPLY

I'll call the pharmacy departments at large local hospitals to find out if med reviews are offered. My friend said Medicare may offer a covered review with a nurse. These are great leads!
It is so nice when a DR pays me an unexpected compliment about my medication list. I've spent a lot of time building it and keeping it current.
How do you organize your meds? 🤔 I color code meds in big pill bottles with neon colored stickies according to the dosing time and then consolidate the "pills for the day" into smaller bottles (eight days at a time.) It gets a bit crazy because some dosing is at odd times. A quality assurance check is important to me because I don't want to skip a dose or double dose. What works for you?
Let me know of any suggestions where to find information about med effectiveness and diet? Or, what is the best time of day to take certain meds if not specified by your doctor?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.