Are Your Medications and Supplements Safe to Take Together?

When was the last time you reviewed every medication, vitamin, and supplement you take with your pharmacist?

For many older adults, the answer may be, “I’m not sure.” And that is understandable. As we age, it is common to have prescriptions from multiple healthcare providers, along with over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and other supplements.

But keeping track of everything you take is more than a matter of organization. Certain medications and supplements can interact with one another, potentially changing how a medication works or increasing the risk of unwanted side effects.

That is why regularly reviewing your complete medication and supplement list with your pharmacist can be an important part of medication safety for seniors.

Why Should Seniors Review Their Medications With a Pharmacist?

Pharmacists are medication experts who can help answer questions about how prescription and over-the-counter medications should be taken. They can also identify potential interactions between medications and supplements.

For example, a pharmacist can help you understand:

• When to take a medication
• Whether it should be taken with food or on an empty stomach
• Whether it can be taken with other medications
• Potential side effects to watch for
• Whether an over-the-counter product could interfere with a prescription
• Whether a vitamin, mineral, or herbal supplement could affect a medication

The FDA recommends that older adults talk with healthcare professionals about their medications because aging-related changes in the body can affect how medicines are absorbed, processed, and eliminated. These changes can contribute to a greater risk of drug interactions.

Don’t Forget About Over-the-Counter Medications

When people think about their medication list, they often remember their prescriptions but forget about products they purchase without a prescription.

That can include:

• Pain relievers
• Cold and allergy medications
• Sleep aids
• Antacids
• Laxatives
• Eye drops
• Topical medications
• Vitamins and minerals
• Herbal products
• Dietary supplements

Everything counts.

The National Institute on Aging recommends keeping an up-to-date list that includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies.

This information becomes especially important when an older adult sees multiple doctors or specialists. Each healthcare provider may know about the medications they prescribed, but your pharmacist can help look at the bigger picture.

Are “Natural” Supplements Always Safe?

It is easy to assume that a product labeled “natural” must be harmless. But natural does not automatically mean risk-free.

Dietary supplements can contain ingredients that have significant effects on the body. Some can interact with medications, affect how medications are absorbed or metabolized, interfere with laboratory tests, or cause other unwanted effects.

That doesn’t mean older adults should avoid all supplements. Instead, it means supplements deserve the same thoughtful consideration as any other product you put into your body.

Before starting a new vitamin, mineral, herbal product, or dietary supplement, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Tell them what prescription and over-the-counter medications you already take so they can help identify potential problems.

And don’t rely solely on a friend’s recommendation or something you read online. A supplement that worked well for someone else may not be appropriate for you.

Create an Up-to-Date Medication List

One of the simplest ways to improve medication safety is to keep a current medication list.

For each medication or supplement, include:

• Name of the medication or supplement
• Strength or dosage
• How often you take it
• What time you take it
• Why you take it
• Who prescribed it, when applicable

The FDA recommends keeping this list current and sharing it with healthcare providers.

It can also be helpful to bring the actual medication bottles with you when meeting with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially if you are unsure about a medication’s name, dosage, or instructions.

Don’t Stop a Prescription on Your Own

If you discover that a medication may be causing side effects—or you’re simply wondering whether you still need it—don’t stop taking it without talking with your healthcare provider.

Instead, make a list of your concerns and discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine whether a medication should be adjusted, changed, or discontinued safely.

This is particularly important for older adults who take several medications. Taking multiple medications can make medication management more complicated and can increase the potential for side effects and interactions.

How Can Home Care Help With Medication Safety?

Medication management can become challenging when an older adult has a complicated daily routine, memory difficulties, mobility limitations, or multiple medications to keep track of.

At Home Helpers Kankakee & Frankfort, our caregivers can provide non-medical support that helps older adults remain organized and safe at home. Depending on the individual’s care plan, assistance may include medication reminders, help maintaining routines, and communicating concerns to family members or the appropriate healthcare professionals.

Our caregivers do not replace a pharmacist or healthcare provider. Instead, they provide an extra layer of supportive care that helps families stay informed about daily routines and potential concerns.

Making Medication Safety Part of Aging at Home

Managing medications and supplements doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with one simple step: make a complete list of everything you take and ask your pharmacist to review it with you.

Bring up every prescription, over-the-counter medication, vitamin, mineral, herbal product, and supplement—even products you only take occasionally.

A few minutes of conversation with your pharmacist could help identify a potential interaction before it becomes a problem.

And if keeping track of medications and daily routines has become difficult for an aging loved one, a compassionate in-home caregiver can provide valuable support that includes medication reminders and transportation assistance to the pharmacy or doctor’s office.

Home Helpers® Kankakee & Frankfort is here to help make life easier for older adults and their families. Contact us today to schedule a FREE Consultation to learn more about our in-home care services.

Home Helpers® Kankakee & Frankfort proudly serves male and female seniors in Beecher, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Dwight, Frankfort, Kankakee, Manteno, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Tinley Park, Watseka, Wilmington, and surrounding areas. Contact our office today to learn more about the many services offered through Home Helpers® – We are Making Life Easier℠ for you and yours. 815.427.4238