Taking medicines safely

Medicines can interact with one another. Certain medicines may also interact with alcohol, certain foods, herbal remedies, vitamins, or minerals. This is why your health care team needs to know about all prescriptions and over the counter (OTC) medicines or supplements that you take. This includes medicine you:

• Take by mouth

• Inject

• Apply to your skin or eyes (topical) such as oils, creams, patches, and drops

• Take occasionally

Schedule a visit with your health care provider or pharmacist to discuss all medicines. 

Below are some tips for taking medicine safely. If you have questions, contact your health care provider or pharmacist:

• Know the name of your medicines and what they are used for. Always read the label on the bottle to be sure the medicine is correct, your name is on the bottle, and that you understand the instructions before taking it.  

• When you have appointments with your health care team, bring a current list of all prescription and OTC medicines, vitamins, herbals, and supplements that you take. Use a wallet card or keep a list of medicines. Include medicines that are prescribed by all providers. Be sure to list how much you take and how often you take it. You can also bring your medicines in their original labeled bottles to your appointment. 

• Never increase or decrease your prescription medicine or stop taking it before talking to your provider. 

• Keep the instructions that come with each medicine.  

• Don’t take less than the prescribed amount to save money. Talk with your health care provider if you can’t afford your medicines. There are resources that can help you. 

• Never share medicines. 

• Never combine different medicines in one bottle. 

• Store medicines in a secure, cool, dry, dark place out of reach from children and pets. A steamy bathroom is often not the best place to store medicines. 

• Dispose of expired or unwanted medicine safely. Watch for National Take Back Days in April and October. Use the Collection Site Locator to find a location near you. 

• Make sure to refill your prescription while you still have some left, so you don’t run out. If you get your medicines in the mail, request your next refill on the day you receive your medicine in the mail.  

• Tell your health care team if you have a history of side effects or allergic reactions to any medicines. Make sure you talk with them about how you take your medicines and how they make you feel. It may take time to find the right dose, medicine, or combination of medicines for you.  

• If you are having any side effects from your medicine, tell your health care provider and seek care immediately if you are very ill. Never stop taking a medicine without talking to your health care provider first. Some medicines should not be stopped suddenly. Others can cause problems if they are not taken for the prescribed amount of time. 

Questions to ask your health care provider or pharmacist

• Why am I taking each medicine? 

• Does this new prescription mean I should stop taking other medicines? How much of the medicine should I take and how often do I take it? If I need to take it three times a day, does that mean at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or every 8 hours? Do I need to wake up in the middle of the night to take it? 

• How long will I be on each medicine? Can I get a refill? How often can I get a refill? 

• When should the medicine start working? How can I tell if it’s working? 

• Are there any tests that I need while I’m on this medicine? 

• What are the side effects? When should I tell the health care team about a problem or side effect? What should I do if I have a side effect? 

• How should I store my medicine? Do I need to keep it in the refrigerator? 

• Do any of the prescriptions and OTC medicines interact with each other in a way that will cause problems? 

• Are there any foods or drinks (including alcohol) or other medicines or activities to avoid while I am taking this medicine? Should any of my medicines be taken with food or on an empty stomach? 

• Are there any OTC medicines that I should stay away from because of my current medicines or my health condition?

• What happens if I skip or forget to take a dose of medicine? 

• What printed information can you give me about this medicine? 

Remembering to take medicines

Remembering to take medicines on time can be hard. Here are some tips to help you:

• Develop a routine. For example, take your medicine at the same time each day, such as after you brush your teeth. This helps remind you to take it.

• Set timers or schedule reminders on your computer, watch, or cell phone. Ask for reminders from VA’s Annie Text messaging program.

• Use a pill organizer that lists the days of the week. If you take pills more than once a day, get a pillbox that has spaces for morning, noon, and evening. As you fill the pillbox, have the bottles with labels in front of you. This helps to prevent confusing pills that look alike and alerts you when it’s time to request a refill.

• Keep your medicine routine when you’re away from home. When traveling, make sure you bring enough for your entire trip plus 3 to 5 days of extra medicines in case of unplanned travel delays.

• Secure your medicine and store it properly. Don’t leave medicine in a hot or cold car. When traveling by air, keep your medicines in your carry-on. Be sure you have your prescription labels (either the original package or a photocopy). Learn more about traveling with medicines: www.tsa.gov and Traveling Abroad with Medicine.

For more information

• My HealtheVet. Refill VA prescriptions, track VA prescriptions, view a list of your medicines, and enter medicines and supplements. 

• Ask a Pharmacist app. Get trusted information about VA pharmacies, prescription labels, and medicines.

• VA Formulary Advisor. Search for VA National formulary (drug) information. 

• Medication Safety and Your Health

• Find Information about a Drug

• Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know

• Easy-to-Read Health Information: MedlinePlus

• Your Medicine: Be Smart. Be Safe.

• Dietary Supplements