TOP 4 TIPS FOR ORGANIZING AND STORING YOUR MEDICATIONS

If you take several medications, whether they are over the counter or prescription, it is important to keep them organized. Why?

• to avoid the mistake of taking the wrong medications at the wrong times
• prevent misplacing drugs or someone stealing them
• ensure your loved ones know your drug schedule, should you be incapacitated

Here are 4 tips to help you organize your medications:

1. Know your medications. Read all labels thoroughly. Know the dosage, amount and frequency, including whether they should be taken at specific times, with or without food, etc. Know what the medication is for; i.e., the reason you are taking it.

2. Pick a sorting system that works for you. There are several containers designed for storing and sorting medications. Some are more robust than others, and the one you need really depends on how many medications you take and how much the dosages are spaced out each day/week. Some of the sorters available are listed below.

• Pouch organizer. This is an actual pouch with a very simple visual display of pills. It actually has a small pouch to insert one pill and notes to the right of them detailing the pill name, dosage and usage. Read more about this product here.
• 28 Compartment Pill Box. This is a 7 day container case that organizes daily medications by morning, noon, evening and bedtime. Each day’s containers pop out for easy filling. These also come in a slide-out organizer, as well.
• Many other simpler options are available; some containing two compartments for each day (AM and PM), and others with just one compartment for each day.

3. Store medications properly and safely. Some medications must be kept within a certain temperature range, or in a dark container to ensure their effectiveness. If there are young children that could have access to your medications or you are worried about possible unauthorized users stealing your meds, you should make sure you store them in a location that is not easily accessible to others. You also need to be aware of expiration dates of any meds and dispose of them properly.

4. Keep a detailed list of your medications. Whether you write it in a notebook or keep a spreadsheet on your computer, maintaining a detailed list of all medications can be valuable. You will have it readily available to bring with you to any doctor’s visits and provide your loved ones with the information, should you be incapacitated. Make sure to include information on prescription refill dates (especially for the mail-order bulk refills), as well as who subscribed the prescription, or where you purchased the over-the-counter medication.

By following these simple tips, you can avoid mistakes that could possibly cause further health problems.

If you take any prescription medications, why not check out our WiseRX Discount Card?  You may be surprised how much you save!