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
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

As you age, it is important to know

about your medicines to avoid 

possible problems.
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
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

Some medicines can interact

with other medicines, foods,

drinks or health conditions.
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

Tell your health professionals

about your medical history 

and about all medicines or 

supplements you take.
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

A pill box can help you remember

when to take 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.

6

Your pharmacist can help keep

track of your medicines.
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?

7
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?

* 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 an up-to-date list of all your

medicines, prescription and 

over-the-counter.
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.

9 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.
10

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.

Before you travel,

discuss your medicine

schedule with your 

doctor or pharmacist.
11

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.
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
14

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.
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
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
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