Management Prep
Before you take any medication, you need to talk to your doctor. To start with, your consult will highlight your diagnosed illnesses and outline the necessary treatment of that illness. Your doctor will make recommendations to you on which medications are right for you, and what to expect from them.
You’ll discuss a range of things, including any possible allergies, a list of goals to be accomplished by the proposed treatment, and documentation of correspondence with other medical professionals regarding the same or similar treatment.
You will also need to discuss your medication history checklist, medication risk identification, preferred administration method, location of patient’s own medicines, immunization status, location of family doctor, community pharmacy and residential care facility. So be prepared and have these documents ready.
Medication Management
Taking the right medication, at the right time, the right amount, and in the right order is essential to both mental and physical health. It can help determine how you feel, how you manage your symptoms, and in some cases, it can even determine whether you live or die. If you find you are taking a number of different medications, they may interact with others, increasing risk of dangerous side effects.
Once you have completed the initial prep, your doctor will then discuss the benefits of particularly medications with you, the amount of time you’ll need to take the medication for, what to do if you miss taking a dose and when you can stop taking it. You’ll also discuss any side effects during and after taking the course.
Your doctor will start giving you treatment at a lower dose to begin with, to see how your body and mind react to the drugs. This will ensure you and your doctor are well aware of any adverse effects that might create future problems.
Benefits of Medication Management
By understanding your medication before you start taking it, you can ensure you’re receiving the right treatment for your ailment. It also allows patients to receive personalized therapy and treatment options as both they, and their doctor, is aware of their requirements and potential barriers.
Other benefits include:
- More people meeting their health care goals
- Decreased medical costs as dosing is more likely to be correct
- Fewer side effects due to controlled management
- Better understanding from patients about the medication in general
By discussing medication management with your doctor, you can ensure you’re taking the best care of yourself. If you want to find out more about medication management, get in touch today to book a consultation.