Managing Multiple Medications

WRITTEN BY MELISSA BEAN STERZICK

Many seniors have prescriptions for multiple medical issues. If you’re taking more than one medication, it is easy to make mistakes like missing a dose or taking the wrong pill. Lorena Layrisse Landaeta, MD, a Torrance Memorial Physician Network primary care physician and geriatric specialist, shares recommendations for taking your medications on time and as directed, staying on top of refills, and being aware of side effects and interactions.

Obtain a printed list of current medications, including any changes, made at every doctor visit. After picking up medications from the pharmacy, organize them in a pill organizer with seven days of morning and afternoon compartments. Keep a list of prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and supplements on the door of your fridge and in your wallet or purse for easy reference. Maintain an updated file for your prescriptions, including doses and the prescribing doctor.

Make taking your medications part of your daily routine. Besides a pill organizer, you can set a phone or watch alarm, or have “Alexa” remind you. You can also

make a chart or Excel spreadsheet with the list of all your medications, and check a box when you take them. I find the pill organizers are most helpful. If you ever have a question about dose and time or miss a dose, immediately call your doctor’s office or pharmacist to clarify.

Request refills at least two weeks in advance so you can get them on time. Using a mail service can take seven to 10 days to receive medications, so don’t wait until you’re out of medication. You can also set up automatic refills with your local pharmacy. Dispose of any expired or discontinued medications, or if doses change. The DEA’s Annual Drug Take Back Day is a good time to properly dispose of these types of meds.

Ask your doctor about side effects, and if you experience any of them, call and ask for directions. Do not stop a prescription without consulting with your doctor. I find patients do best when they understand why they are taking a medication and how the medication will improve their health or well-being—this is called health literacy. Understanding how your medications can affect daily activities, such as driving and using tools and appliances, as well as their purpose for your health, is very important.

Most medications can be stored at room temperature, except insulin and some medications that require refrigeration. When you start a new medication, ask your pharmacist how to store it. Also make sure your medications are out of reach to children and pets.

Good communication with your doctor and pharmacist is key to avoiding drug interactions. Never start a medication, even if it’s over-the-counter, without consulting with your doctor—especially if you take multiple medications. Tell your doctor about all the prescriptions, supplements and over-the-counter drugs you use before starting any new medication. If you drink or use cannabis, be aware of any interactions with your medications. As a geriatrician, I use Beers Criteria to ensure I’m not prescribing medications that can cause serious side effects in geriatric patients. If you ever feel a medication is not working as it should, call your doctor. As you age, your kidneys and liver may not pass drugs through your system the way they did when you were younger, and medication dosing may need to be adjusted. It’s very important you never take more medication than prescribed as this can lead to a higher risk of side effects, overdosing and addiction.

Your doctor won’t know what is covered until you fill the prescription at your pharmacy. If your insurance does not agree to cover a medication, you can ask the pharmacy to submit an authorization to “cover my meds.” Some pharmacies have discount programs, including CVS and Costco. If you have Medicare, ask for Medi-Cal prices. You can also call your doctor’s office for help with authorizations or get an equivalent prescription that is covered by your health insurance.

GoodRX – Did you know more than 10% of older adults spend $5,000 annually on prescription drugs? Instead of clipping coupons to save at the pharmacy, you can use GoodRx, a popular prescription discount card service. To use this app, simply type in your prescribed medications to see how much they will cost at pharmacies near you. To receive your discount, simply take your phone and show your coupon to the pharmacist.

Mint – If you’re retired and living on a fixed income, careful budgeting is important. A financial app like Mint is a great way to accomplish this, allowing you to monitor your bills, bank accounts, credit cards and investments— all in one place. Depending on your spending habits and savings, it also helps you budget for monthly/weekly expenses, giving suggestions on what to cut back on.

Personal Capital – While there are many tools that help track your finances, Personal Capital stands out when it comes to retirement planning. If financial planning seems daunting, check out this app for its straightforward visuals and projections. Use it to assess your current retirement situation and even play out other scenarios so you can decide whether you need to make changes to your long-term plans.

Ibotta – Who doesn’t love a good discount? Older adults can especially benefit from using this free senior discount app, which lets you earn cash back on your purchases whether they are instore or online. Retailers such as Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walgreens, CVS, Lowe’s, Whole Foods, Kohl’s, Trader Joe’s, Petco, Costco and many others have partnered with Ibotta to pay customers cash back.

Fetch Rewards – Touted as the “best overall cash app,” Fetch Rewards allows you to earn rewards on regular shopping purchases, including grocery stores, convenience stores, big-box stores and restaurants. To earn reward points, upload a receipt within 14 days of shopping. You’ll be able to exchange your points for gift cards from popular retailers, redeem them for charity donations or use them to enter monthly sweepstakes. You can cash out with as little as 3,000 points ($3). Since it’s so simple to earn and redeem points, this is a favorite app for people who want an easy, no-planning-necessary cash-back rewards app. •