how to -watch medications
Print this page
Check out the YouTube video from the Families Launching Action Against Medication Errors organization.
Find uses, warnings, side effects and interactions to medications. Search by name or medical condition for prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.
Information from The Joint Commission on avoiding medication errors.
Ask Your Doctors Questions
Here are some questions we found helpful to ask the doctor:
- Can you please give me the spelling of the medication, as well as the dosage instructions?
- Why was this medication prescribed?
- How will this new medication interact with the other medications my parent is currently taking?
- Is it safe to take this with over-the-counter meds, vitamins, herbs and supplements?
- What side effects might occur? How likely are these side effects?
- Can any of my parent's symptoms be a side effect of a current medication?
- Should this medication be taken with food?
- What should we do if my parent forgets to take a pill?
- How long will it take before this medication becomes effective?
- Is there anything else we should know about this medication?
Be organized - keep track of all tests and procedures
"How Two Rights Can Make a Wrong" by Howard Markel, MD, The New York Times
"Patient Protection" by Tina Peng, Newsweek.com
"Just What the Doctor Ordered? Not Exactly" by Jane E. Brody, The New York Times
"Patient Protection" by Tina Peng, Newsweek.com
"Just What the Doctor Ordered? Not Exactly" by Jane E. Brody, The New York Times
