09/20/2025
Make sure all clinicians know what medications you take
If you go to different clinicians for different conditions, it’s extremely important to tell each of them about all of the medications you are taking. It may help to carry a list with you at all times.
Use a medicine wallet card. Ask your pharmacist if a medicine wallet card is available, or make your own. The card will help you keep an up-to-date list of your medicines with you.
Make sure your pharmacy has a record of all the medicines you take. Use your medication list to let your pharmacist know about all of your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. “Don’t assume all of your physicians and clinicians know about all of your medications,” Merrey says. “A list is essential. It can also help your doctor look for the sources of any side effects or interactions you may be having.”
Try filling your prescriptions at one pharmacy. This makes getting prescription refills simpler and helps your pharmacist protect you from drug interactions. “Using one pharmacy keeps your medication records in one place, so the pharmacist can evaluate your risk and work with your doctor to avoid potential problems,” says Merrey.
Tell your physicians, clinicians and your pharmacist about your allergies. They can keep that important information in your records. Before taking a new prescription, be sure to confirm that it will not interact with your allergies.
Never stop taking a medicine on your own. Always get your physician or clinician’s guidance. Some medicines must be stopped gradually to avoid complications. If the medicine is making you feel sick or causing side effects that are difficult to tolerate, ask about adjusting the dose or changing the medicine.
Review your medications annually. Once each year, toss everything you take (prescriptions, over-the-counter remedies and supplements) into a bag and take it to your annual checkup for a review. “With age, the body absorbs and breaks down medications differently,” Merrey says. “Your doctor may change the dose of something you’ve used for a long time.”