Living With More Than One Health Problem

When you have more than one health problem, it usually means that you need at least a few medicines. Dealing with medicines can be one of the harder parts of your care. Medicines can save your life, but they can also harm you. You have to track them, know how to take them, and perhaps deal with side effects.

You and all your doctors need to be aware of all the medicines you are taking. This makes it less likely that one doctor will give you a medicine that interacts with another medicine. For example, one medicine may cause side effects that create problems with other medicines. Or one medicine may make another medicine stronger or weaker.

Older adults have to be even more careful with medicine. As you age, your body becomes more sensitive to medicines. As a result, the medicines may build up in your body and affect you as if you had taken a larger dose than prescribed. This can be harmful.

It's a good idea to:

• Reference Ask your doctor about your medicines.
• Reference Take your medicine as prescribed.
• Reference Organize your medicines.
• Reference Learn to deal with side effects and medicine interactions.
• Reference Learn how to lower the cost of medicine.

Here are some forms you can use to track your medicine:

• Master list of medicines (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)
• Daily medicine schedule (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)
• Questions for your doctor about new medicines (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?)

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.