St James AME Church, Elgin, Illinois

 

This information will help you when taking any medicine.  In addition to these guidelines, you need to have information about the specific medicines you are taking.  Your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse can give you that information.

 

 

Before you take any new medicine, tell your doctor if:

 during pregnancy must be carefully considered.  Your obstetrician or pharmacist

 will be able to tell you of the safety of any medicines you take during pregnancy.

 supplements in the past few weeks.  Medicines can change how other medicines work.

 

 

 

 

In most cases, generic medicines are the same as brand-name medicines. There are some exceptions.  Your pharmacist will be able to tell you which medicines can be substituted with a generic and which should not.

 

 

 

 

 

� Keep your medicines tightly capped in the original bottle.  Never put different medicines in one bottle to store for a long time.  If you use a pill container to help you to take the medicine, put in only enough medicine to cover the day or week you use this item.  Keep a list of each medicine you put into the pill reminder.

� Store your medicines away from heat and direct sunlight.  Do not put medicines in bathroom cabinet, because heat and moisture may cause them to change. Store medicine in a kitchen cabinet, away from heat, but where children cannot get to them.  Do not store medicines in the refrigerator or freezer unless you are told to do so.

� Outdated medicines or any prescription medicine not used for more than one year should be thrown out.  Check with your pharmacist about how to get rid of them safely.  Do not throw old medicines in the trash can.

 

 

� Do not give your prescription medicine to other people.  This can be very dangerous, and it is against the law.  The medicine is for your medical problem, and may not be the correct treatment for another person.

� Before you have surgery or emergency treatment, tell your doctor or dentist about medicines you are taking.  Be sure to include any vitamins, herbals or other over-the-counter medicines.

� If you take more medicine than prescribed, call the poison control center, your doctor, or pharmacist at once.  Keep local telephone numbers close to the telephone.

� Use only one pharmacy so the pharmacist has a record of all of your medicines.  This allows for checks that your medicines can be taken together safely.