• Why is it so important to take my medications?

Medications should be taken regularly to make sure that you have an effective amount of drug in your body at all times. When medications are not taken regularly, the level of drug in the blood can become too low to effectively stop the virus from multiplying. This gives the virus a chance to mutate and become resistant to the effects of the drug.

  • Do we take our medications properly?

To get maximum benefit from your medications, it is important to take them exactly as prescribed by your doctor. In fact, your chance of a better health outcome improves when you take your medications as directed.

But four out of 10 older people who take more than one drug still do not take one or more of their prescriptions according to their doctor's instructions. Could you be one of them?

  • How should I store my medication?

Take care of your medicine.

    • Know that heat, air, light, and moisture may damage your medicine.
    • Store your medicines in a cool, dry place. For example, store it in your dresser drawer or a kitchen cabinet away from the stove, sink, and any hot appliances. You can also store medicine in a storage box, on a shelf, or in a closet.
    • If you are like most people, you probably store your medicine in a bathroom cabinet. But the heat and moisture from your shower, bath, and sink may damage your medicine. Your medicines can become less potent, or they may go bad before the expiration date.
    • Pills and capsules are easily damaged by heat and moisture. Aspirin pills break down into vinegar and salicylic acid. This irritates the stomach.
    • Always keep medicine in its original container.
    • Ask your pharmacist about any specific storage instructions.

 

  • Taking my medications away from home – what do I need to know?

Passport? Check. Itinerary? Check. Prescription medicine? Oops. If you're going on vacation, don't forget your meds. Bringing them along can be complicated, though, especially if you're going overseas. How do you pack your pills? Can you stay on your dosing schedule? Will there be problems with security?

Here are some ways to get you and the medicine you need safely to your destination and back again.

Carry Them On

Going to Honolulu? Don't let your medications end up in Timbuktu. Keep them in your carry-on bag for safety -- and for easier access en route. Remember, though, it will need to get through security.

On plane trips, using carry-on bags will help protect your medications from sitting out in extremely hot or cold temperatures, which can affect how well they work. 

Travelling by car? Never leave medicine in the glove compartment or the trunk, even inside luggage. For medications that must be refrigerated, like some liquid drugs or meds you inject, put them in an insulated lunch bag and add a freezer pack.

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