{"id":92048,"date":"2014-04-18T15:00:57","date_gmt":"2014-04-18T19:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=92048"},"modified":"2015-11-24T16:49:34","modified_gmt":"2015-11-24T21:49:34","slug":"the-abcs-of-managing-your-medications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2014\/04\/the-abcs-of-managing-your-medications\/","title":{"rendered":"The ABC\u2019s of Managing Your Medications"},"content":{"rendered":"
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UConn Health pharmacists and UConn pharmacy students offer tips on managing medications and personalized reviews of prescription and nonprescription drugs in the Keller Lobby. (Chris Kaminski\/UConn Health Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you take several\u00a0prescription medications, over-the-counter products, or herbal supplements\u00a0for various\u00a0medical\u00a0conditions, it can be difficult to manage.\u00a0According to the Centers\u00a0for Disease Control\u00a0and Prevention,\u00a082\u00a0percent of American adults take at least one medication and 29 percent take five or more medications.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0best\u00a0way to manage\u00a0all\u00a0your medications is by getting organized and making sure your\u00a0health care team, including your\u00a0pharmacist,\u00a0knows\u00a0about all of the\u00a0drugs\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0taking.\u00a0At a recent event, UConn Health pharmacists and UConn School of Pharmacy students presented\u00a0tips and\u00a0information about what individuals need to know about their medications.\u00a0In addition,\u00a0there\u00a0was an opportunity for event\u00a0attendees to receive\u00a0a personalized and comprehensive review of their medications, and to ask specific\u00a0questions relating to their drugs and supplements.<\/p>\n

Although\u00a0we know most individuals are on at least one medication,\u00a0research has found that\u00a075 percent are non-adherent in one or more ways, says UConn Health pharmacist Ruth\u00a0Kalish.\u00a0Non-adherence can include such things as not filling a prescription, missing doses, taking outdated medications, or using medication devices,\u00a0such as inhalers,\u00a0incorrectly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s important that people get as much information as possible about their medications so that they can ultimately feel better, have fewer symptoms, and oftentimes stay out of the hospital,\u201d says\u00a0Kalish.<\/p>\n

Besides managing your medications, individuals should know how to store their medications.\u00a0Here are some helpful tips:<\/p>\n