Medicines

and You: 

A Guide for 

Older Adults 

Council on Family Health 

Provided in cooperation with 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

Food and Drug Administration 

and the Administration on Aging 
Table of Contents 

Aging and Health: You and Your Medicines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 

Talk to Your Health Care Professionals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 

What You Need to Know About Your Prescription Medicines . . . .7 

Taking Prescription Medicines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 

Taking Over-the-Counter Medicines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Cutting Medicine Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Tips for Seniors on Safe Medicine Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 

My Medicine Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Use the medicine chart on pages 16-17 to keep a written list of 

your medicines and other important health information. 

Council on Family Health 

www.cfhinfo.org

Provided in cooperation with 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Food and Drug Administration 

www.fda.gov

and 

Administration on Aging 

www.aoa.gov
As you age, it is important to know 

about your medicines to avoid 

possible problems. 

Aging and Health:

You and Your Medicines 

As you get older you may be faced with more health 

conditions that you need to treat on a regular basis. It is 

important to be aware that more use of medicines and 

normal body changes caused by aging can increase the chance 

of unwanted or maybe even harmful drug interactions. 

The more you know about your medicines and the more you 

talk with your health care professionals, the easier it is to avoid 

problems with medicines. 

As you age, body changes can affect the way medicines are 

absorbed and used. For example, changes in the digestive system 

can affect how fast medicines enter the bloodstream. Changes in 

body weight can influence the amount of medicine you need to 

take and how long it stays in your body. The circulation system 

may slow down, which can affect how fast drugs get to the liver 

and kidneys. The liver and kidneys also may work more slowly, 

affecting the way a drug breaks down and is removed from the 

body. 

1
Because of these body changes, there is also a bigger risk of 

drug interactions for older adults. 

Drug-drug interactions happen when two or more medicines 

react with each other to cause unwanted effects. This kind of 

interaction can also cause one medicine to not work as well or 

even make one medicine stronger than it should be. For example, 

you should not take aspirin if you are taking a prescription blood 

thinner, such as warfarin, unless your health care professional tells 

you to. 

Drug-condition interactions happen when a medical condition 

you already have makes certain drugs potentially harmful. For 

example, if you have high blood pressure or asthma, you could 

have an unwanted reaction if you take a nasal decongestant. 

Drug-food interactions result from drugs reacting with foods or 

drinks. In some cases, food in the digestive track can affect how 

a drug is absorbed. Some medicines also may affect the way 

nutrients are absorbed or used in the body. 

Drug-alcohol interactions can happen when the medicine you 

take reacts with an alcoholic drink. For instance, mixing alcohol 

with some medicines may cause you to feel tired and slow your 

reactions. 

It is important to know that many medicines do not mix well with 

alcohol. As you grow older, your body may react differently to 

alcohol, as well as to the mix of alcohol and medicines. Keep in 

mind that some problems you might think are medicinerelated, such as loss of coordination, memory loss, or irritability, 

could be the result of a mix between your medicine and alcohol. 

For more information about alcohol and medicines, visit the U.S. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 

http://www.samhsa.gov 

2 
Some medicines can interact 

with other medicines, foods, 

drinks or health conditions. 

What Are Side Effects? 

Side effects are unplanned symptoms or feelings you have when 

taking a medicine. Most side effects are not serious and go away 

on their own; others can be more bothersome and even serious. 

To help prevent possible problems with medicines, seniors must 

know about the medicine they take and how it makes them feel. 

Keep track of side effects to help your doctor know how your 

body is responding to a medicine. New symptoms or mood 

changes may not be a result of getting older but could be from 

the medicine you’re taking or another factor, such as a change 

in diet or routine. If you have an unwanted side effect, call your 

doctor right away. 

Talk to Your Health Care Professionals 

It is important to go to all of your medical appointments and to 

talk to your team of health care professionals (doctors, pharmacists, nurses, or physician assistants) about your medical conditions, the medicines you take, and any health concerns you have. 

It may help to make a list of comments, questions, or concerns 

before your visit or call to a health care professional. Also, think 

about having a close friend or relative come to your appointment 

with you if you are unsure about talking to your health care 

professional or would like someone to help you understand 

and/or remember answers to your questions. 

3
Tell your health professionals 

about your medical history 

and about all medicines or 

supplements you take. 

Here are some other things to keep in mind: 

All Medicines Count: Tell your team of health care professionals 

about all the medicines you take, including prescription and 

over-the-counter medicines, such as pain relievers, antacids, cold 

medicines, and laxatives. Don’t forget to include eye drops, dietary 

supplements, vitamins, herbals, and topical medicines, such as 

creams and ointments. 

Keep in Touch with Your Doctors: If you regularly take a 

prescription medicine, ask your doctor to check how well it is 

working, whether you still need to take it, and, if so, whether there 

is anything you can do (like lowering fats in your diet or exercising 

more) to cut back or, in time, stop needing the medicine. Don’t 

stop taking the medicine on your own without first talking with 

your doctor. 

Medical History: Tell your health care professional about your 

medical history. The doctor will want to know if you have any 

food, medicine, or other allergies. He or she also will want to know 

about other conditions you have or had and how you are being 

treated or were treated for them by other doctors. It is helpful to 

keep a written list of your health conditions that you can easily 

share with your doctors. Your primary care doctor should also 

know about any specialist doctors you may see on a regular basis. 

Eating Habits: Mention your eating habits. If you follow 

or have recently changed to a special diet (a very low-fat diet, for 

instance, or a high-calcium diet), talk to your doctor about this. 

Tell your doctor how much coffee, tea, or alcohol you drink each 

day and whether you smoke. These things may make a difference 

in the way your medicine works. 4 
A pill box can help you remember 

when to take your medicines. 

Recognizing and Remembering to 

Take Your Medicines: Let your health care 

professional know if you have trouble 

telling your medicines apart. The doctor 

can help you find better ways to recognize 

your medicines. Also tell your doctor if you 

have problems remembering when to take your medicines or how 

much to take. Your doctor may have some ideas to help, such as a 

calendar or pill box. 

Swallowing Tablets: If you have trouble swallowing tablets, ask 

your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for ideas. Maybe there is a liquid 

medicine you could use or maybe you can crush your tablets. Do 

not break, crush, or chew tablets without first asking your health 

professional. 

Your Lifestyle: If you want to make your medicine schedule more 

simple, talk about it with your doctor. He or she may have another 

medicine or ideas that better fits your lifestyle. For example, if taking medicine four times a day is a problem for you, maybe the 

doctor can give you a medicine you only need to take once or 

twice a day. 

Put It in Writing: Ask your health care professional to write out a 

complete medicine schedule, with directions on exactly when 

and how to take your medicines. Find out from your primary care 

doctor how your medicine schedule should be changed if you 

see more than one doctor. 

5 
Your pharmacist can help keep 

track of your medicines. 

Your Pharmacist Can Help Too 

One of the most important services a pharmacist can offer is to talk 

to you about your medicines. A pharmacist can help you understand how and when to take your medicines, what side effects you 

might expect, or what interactions may occur. A pharmacist can 

answer your questions privately in the pharmacy or over the 

telephone. 

Here are some other ways your pharmacist can help: 

■ Many pharmacists keep track of medicines on their computer. 

If you buy your medicines at one store and tell your pharmacist 

all the over-the-counter and prescription medicines or dietary 

supplements you take, your pharmacist can help make sure your 

medicines don’t interact harmfully with one another. 

Ask your pharmacist to place your prescription medicines 

in easy-to-open containers if you have a hard time taking 

off child-proof caps and do not have young children living in 

or visiting your home. (Remember to keep all medicines out 

of the sight and reach of children.) 

Your pharmacist may be able to print labels on prescription 

medicine containers in larger type, if reading the medicine label 

is hard for you. 

Your pharmacist may be able to give you written information to 

help you learn more about your medicines. This information may 

be available in large type or in a language other than English. 

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6 
What You Need to Know About Your 

Prescription Medicines 

The following questions will help you get the information you 

need when you visit your doctor and pharmacist.* 

Before you leave the doctor’s office with a new prescription, ask: 

■ What is the name of the medicine and what is it supposed to 

do? Is there a less expensive alternative? 

How and when do I take the medicine and for how long? 

Whether to take it with water, food, or with a special medicine, 

or at the same time as other medicines. 

Can it be taken with over-the-counter medicines? If so, when? 

What to do if you miss or forget a dose. 

Whether you take it before, during, or after meals. 

The timing between each dose. For example, does “four times a 

day” mean you have to take it in the middle of the night? 

What your doctor means by “as needed.” 

Are there any other special instructions to follow? 

What foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements, or 

activities should I avoid while taking this medicine? 

Will any tests or monitoring be required while I am taking this 

medicine? Do I need to report back to the doctor? 

What are the possible side effects and what do I do if 

they occur? 

When should I expect the medicine to start working, and how 

will I know if it is working? 

Will this new prescription work safely with the other prescription 

and over-the-counter medicines or dietary supplements I am 

taking? 

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7 
Keep an up-to-date list of all your 

medicines, prescription and 

over-the-counter. 

At the pharmacy, or wherever you get your medicines, ask: 

■ Do you have a patient profile form for me to fill out? Does it 

include space for my over-the-counter drugs and my dietary 

supplements? 

Is there written information about my medicine? Ask the 

pharmacist if it’s available in large print or in a language other 

than English if you need it. 

What is the most important thing I should know about this 

medicine? Ask the pharmacist any questions that may not have 

been answered by your doctor. 

Can I get a refill? If so, when? 

How and where should I store this medicine? 

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* These questions are based on information found on the 

National Council on Patient Information and Education’s 

web site at www.talkaboutrx.org. 

8 
 

Keep a Record of Your Medicines; Give Your Medicine Chest a 

Yearly Check-Up 

To help you organize information about your medicines, list 

all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary 

supplements, vitamins, and herbals you take. Bring this list with 

you when you see your doctors and any other health care 

professional. It is very important that each of them knows what 

medicines you are taking. 

The list should include: the name of the medicine, the doctor who 

prescribed it, how much and how often to take, instructions on 

how to take the medicine, what it is taken for and any expected 

side effects. Use “My Medicine Record” in the back of this 

booklet to help organize this information. 

It is a good idea to take all your medicines to your doctor at least 

once a year for a “medicine check-up.”That way your doctor 

can see what you are taking and tell you if there might be any 

interaction problems. This is also a good time to review dosage 

information and ask other questions you might have about your 

medicines. Remember to bring all over-the-counter medicines 

you take as well as any dietary supplements, vitamins, and 

herbals. It is also important to get rid of any expired medicines 

you may have. 

16 

Doctors’ names and phone numbers Pharmacists’ names and phone numbers 

Emergency Contact Information: 

Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Relationship: ______________________ 

Phone number: _____________________________________________________ 

My Medicine Record 

Name of medicine What it is for Doctor who prescribed How and when to take How much to take Color/shape Side effects/ warnings 

In the space below, list all medicines you take, including all prescription and OTC 

medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins and herbals, remembering to cross off 

medicines you are no longer using. Throw away any expired medicines. 

17

List all the prescription 

and over-the-counter 

medicines, dietary 

supplements, vitamins, 

and herbals you take. 

9 
Before you travel, 

discuss your medicine 

schedule with your 

doctor or pharmacist. 

Taking Prescription Medicines 

Follow your doctor’s instructions and read (and keep) the 

package insert information, if available. Have your doctor write 

down instructions if you don’t understand or are worried about 

forgetting them. 

Take your medicines for the whole time they are prescribed, 

even if you feel better. 

Take only your own medicines. Taking someone else’s medicine 

may hide your symptoms and make diagnosing your illness more 

difficult for your doctor. 

Know about your medicines. If you take more than one 

medicine, be able to tell them apart by size, shape, color, number 

or name imprint, form (tablet or capsule), or container. 

Plan for medicines you need to take during the night. 

If you need to take more than one medicine, try not to keep them 

by your bedside. If you must, and there are no small children or 

pets in your home, place the pills you will need during the night 

on your bedside table. Turn on the light and make sure you’re 

taking the right medicine at the right time. 

10 
Organize your medicines at home. Many people use a chart or 

written schedule to keep track of their medicines. Some find 

containers with different colored caps, different sections or with 

alarms that go off at set times helpful. 

Keep medicines in a cool, dry place, away from bright light. 

A kitchen cabinet or bedroom shelf may be good storage places. 

Medicines should not be kept in places where heat and moisture 

can alter their effectiveness. Do not keep medicines in the 

refrigerator, unless your doctor or pharmacist, or the label, 

tells you. 

Before you travel, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to 

adjust your medicine schedule to account for changes in time, 

routine, and diet. Bring the phone numbers of your doctors and 

pharmacists with you. When flying, carry your medicines with you; 

do not pack them in your checked luggage. When traveling, 

always keep medicines out of heat and direct sunlight. 

If there are children in your home, remember to put medicines 

out of their sight and reach, and don’t take medicines in front 

of them. 

Get prescriptions refilled early enough to avoid running out of 

medicine, which may cause problems with your medicine schedule. 

If you to buy medicines on the Internet, check the web site for 

the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program 

and seal of approval to make sure the site is properly licensed and 

has been successfully reviewed and inspected by the National 

Association of Boards of Pharmacy (www.nabp.net). 

Always keeps medicines in their original containers, and never 

put more than one kind of medication in the same container. 

11 
Taking Over-the-Counter Medicines 

Today’s medicine cabinets contain a growing choice of over-thecounter, OTC, medicines to treat a growing number of health 

problems. Common OTC medicines include pain relievers, laxatives, 

cough and cold products, and antacids. Some OTC medicines, 

however, can affect the way prescription medicines work or are 

used by the body. Always talk with your doctor about all OTC 

medicines you take. Here are some important tips to remember: 

Always read and follow the directions on the medicine label. 

OTC medicine labels give you all the information you need to take 

the medicine the right way and tell you: 

■ Active and inactive ingredients, 

What the medicine is used for, 

Interactions or side effects that could happen, 

How and when (or when not) to take the medicine, 

Other warnings. 

■

■

■

■

Choose OTC medicines that have only the ingredients you 

need. It is a good idea to only use medicines that treat the 

problems or symptoms you have. Ask your pharmacist for help. 

If you are taking more than one medicine, pay attention to the 

“active ingredients” to avoid taking too much of the same 

ingredient. 

Check for package tampering and the expiration date. 

Don’t buy medicines if the packaging has been broken or if the 

expiration date has passed. The expiration date tells you the 

date after which the product may not be as effective. 

Talk to your doctor if taking an OTC medicine becomes a 

regular habit. Most OTC medicines are only to be used for a 

short time. 

If you have questions about specific medicines, visit the National 

Library of Medicine's web site at www.medlineplus.gov and 

12 click on "Drug Information." 
Cutting Medicine Costs 

Medicines are an important part of treating an illness because 

they often allow people to remain active and independent. 

But medicine can be expensive. Here are some ideas to help 

lower costs: 

Tell your doctor if you are worried about the cost of your 

medicine. Your doctor may not know how much your prescription 

costs, but may be able to tell you about another less expensive 

alternative. 

Ask for a senior citizen’s discount. 

Shop around. Look at prices at different stores or pharmacies. 

Lower medicine prices may not be a bargain if you need other 

services, such as home delivery, patient medicine profiles, or pharmacist consultation, or if you cannot get a senior citizen discount. 

Ask for medicine samples. If your doctor gives you a prescription 

for a new medicine, ask your doctor for samples you can try 

before filling the prescription. (Make sure you know the right 

way to use the sample medicine and ask for any other important 

product information.) 

Buy bulk. If you need to take medicine for a long period of time 

and your medicine does not expire quickly, you may be able to 

buy a larger amount of the medicine for less money. 

Try mail order. Mail-order pharmacies can provide medications at 

lower prices. However, it is a good idea to talk with your doctor 

before using such a service since there may not be a health care 

professional there to talk to and it may take a few weeks for medicine to get to you. Make sure to find a back-up pharmacy in case 

there is a problem with the mail service. 

Buy OTC medicines when they are on sale. Check the 

expiration dates and use them before they expire. If you need 

help choosing an OTC medicine, ask the pharmacist. 

13 
Tips for Seniors on Safe Medicine Use 

❏✓Learn about your medicines. Read medicine labels and 

package inserts and follow the directions. If you have 

questions, ask your doctor or other health care professionals. 

❏✓Talk to your team of health care professionals about your 

medical conditions, health concerns, and all the medicines 

you take (prescription and OTC medicines), as well as dietary 

supplements, vitamins, and herbals. The more they know, the 

more they can help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

Keep track of side effects or possible drug interactions 

and let your doctor know right away about any unexpected 

symptoms or changes in the way you feel. 

Make sure to go to all doctor appointments and to any 

appointments for monitoring tests done by your doctor or 

at a laboratory. 

❏✓

❏✓

❏✓Use a calendar, pill box or other things, to help you 

remember what you need to take and when. Write down 

information your doctor gives you about your medicines or 

your health condition. 

Take along a friend or relative to your doctor’s 

appointments if you think you might need help to 

understand or to remember what the doctor tells you. 

Have a “Medicine Check-Up” at least once a year. Go through 

your medicine cabinet to get rid of old or expired medicines 

and also ask your doctor or pharmacist to go over all of the 

medicines you now take. Don’t forget to tell them about all 

the OTC medicines or any vitamins, dietary supplements, and 

herbals you take. 

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. 

❏✓

❏✓

❏✓

14 
For more information contact: 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

www.dhhs.gov

Administration on Aging 

www.aoa.gov

202-619-0724

AoAInfo@aoa.gov

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 

www.ahrq.gov 

Food and Drug Administration 

www.fda.gov 

1-888-INFO-FDA

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

www.samhsa.gov 

www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov 

1-800-662-HELP

National Institutes of Health 

www.nihseniorhealth.gov 

National Institute on Aging Information Center 

www.niapublications.org 

1-800-222-2225

1-800-222-4225 TTY

National Library of Medicine 

www.medlineplus.gov 

15 
_________________________________________________________________ 

In the space below, list all medicines you take, including all prescription and OTC 

medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins and herbals, remembering to cross off 

My Medicine Record medicines you are no longer using. Throw away any expired medicines.

Name of medicine What it is for Doctor who prescribed How and when to take How much to take Color/shape Side effects/ warnings 

Doctors’ names and phone numbers Pharmacists’ names and phone numbers 

Emergency contact information: 

Name: _ _ Relationship: ______________________ 

Phone number: _____________________________________________________ 

16 17 
Council on Family Health 

www.cfhinfo.org

Provided in cooperation with 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Food and Drug Administration 

www.fda.gov

and 

Administration on Aging 

www.aoa.gov

4/04