HealthLink Littauer’s

WELLNESS WORDS

Submitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.

Community Health Educator

SAFE STORAGE & DISPOSAL OF MEDICINE

Prescription medicines are an important treatment option that many people depend upon. These medicines help to treat a vast number of diseases and provide a better quality of life for patients. However, if these medicines are abused it could lead to very serious medical problems. According to the Federal Drug Abuse Warning Network, emergency room visits due to abuse of prescription drugs are greater than the number of visits due to abuse of marijuana and heroin combined. It is also reported that 1.5 million American kids have reported they have abused prescription drugs.

It is extremely important for these medicines to be safely stored and disposed of! This will prevent accidental abuse by patients and abuse by other individuals who the medicines aren’t prescribed for.

Safety Tips For Storing & Using Medications Include:

• Keep your medicines separate from those of other family members. This will decrease the chances of taking the wrong medication.
• Take medication in areas with good lighting to make sure that you are taking the right medicine and never take medicines in the dark.
• Keep the medicines in the bottle that they came in. The amber color of bottle protects medicine from light and all the medication’s information is on the bottle in case you need it.
• Never mix different medicines in the same bottle.
• Always keep the lids on your bottles tightly closed.
• If there is cotton in the pill bottle when you first open it, remove it and throw it away. The cotton can absorb moisture and affect the medicine that is inside.

The Federal Guidelines For Prescription Medicine Disposal Encourage Individuals To:

• Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers and throw them in the trash.
• Mixing prescription drugs with undesirable substances will ensure the drugs are not diverted. The substances include coffee grounds, kitty litter, empty cans or sealable bags.
• Only flush prescription medications down the toilet if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so.
• Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programs or community solid waste programs. These programs are a good way to dispose of unused pharmaceuticals.

There is a Prescription Drug Disposal Day scheduled for Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery Counties on April 28, 2012 from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Below is a list of the disposal sites for each county:

Fulton County

• Johnstown City Police Department – 41 E. Main Street, Johnstown
• Gloversville City Police Department – 3 Frontage Road, Gloversville

Hamilton County

• Lane Emporium – Corner of Routes 30 & 8, Speculator
• Inlet Police Department – 160 Route 28, Inlet

Montgomery County

• Montgomery County Sherriff – 200 Clark Drive, Fultonville
• Canajoharie Police Department – 75 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie
• St. Johnsville Police Department – 16 Washington Street, St. Johnsville
• Fort Plain Police Department – 168 Canal Street, Fort Plain
• Amsterdam Police Department – Guy Park Avenue Ext, Amsterdam

For more information, contact your health care provider or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.

HealthLink Littauer’s

WELLNESS WORDS

Submitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.

Community Health Educator

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS & OLDER ADULTS

Many older adults live with one or more chronic conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. Older adults are more likely to consult multiple healthcare providers and take multiple medicines, which can place them at greater risk for drug interactions.

A drug interaction is when a substance (such as another medication, supplement or even food) affects the activity of a drug. This can increase or decrease the effects of the drug or produce a new effect that neither substance produces on its own.

It is important to realize that some medicines won’t mix well with alcohol or other medications, including over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies. Changes in body weight can also influence the amount of medicine you need to take and how long it stays in your body. Body circulation may slow down, which can affect how quickly drugs get to the liver and kidneys. In addition, the liver and kidneys may work slower, which can affect how a drug breaks down and is eliminated from the body. Due to these changes, medicine may remain in your body longer and create a greater chance of interaction.

The Food and Drug Administration encourages individuals to be knowledgeable about their medication, and has provided the following guidelines to guard against potential problems with medication:

• Read the labels of your medications carefully, and follow the directions.
• Look for pictures or statements on your prescriptions and pill bottles that tell you not to drink alcohol while taking the particular medication. If you are taking medications for sleeping, pain, anxiety, or depression, it is unsafe to drink alcohol.
• Talk to your health care professional about all medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbals.
• Tell your doctor about any food or medicine allergies you have.
• Keep track of side effects, and let your doctor know immediately about any unexpected symptoms or changes in the way you feel.
• Go through your medicine cabinet at least once a year to get rid of old or expired medicines.
• Have all of your medicine reviewed by your doctor at least once a year.
• Talk with your doctor or other health care professional. They can check for any problems you may be having and discuss treatment options with you.
• Ask for advice from a staff member at a senior center or other program in which you participate.
• Share your concerns with a friend, family member, or spiritual advisor.
• Remind your doctor or pharmacist about any previous conditions that might affect your ability to take certain medicines, such as allergies, a stroke, hypertension, serious heart disease, liver problems, or lung disease.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you want more information.

For more information on medication safety, contact your health care provider or pharmacist, or call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.