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Pharmaceutical Care
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Each medication has its unique storage requirement. Remember the following recommendations
for storing your medications:
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Always read the storage direction on each medication label. (at room temperature,
in a refrigerator, etc.)
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Keep medications in their original container so you'll have the expiration date
and instructions on hand.
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Never combine different medications into one vial or container.
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Do NOT keep medicine in the medicine cabinet in a steamy, moist bathroom. Some medications
can become less potent when exposed to moisture and extreme heat such as car dashboard.
Store medications in a cool, dry place such as on a high shelf in the kitchen cabinet.
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Keep medications out the reach of children and pets.
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Do NOT share medications, no matter how similar the symptoms or complaints.
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Throw away any old prescriptions. Do NOT use any medication after the expiration
date.
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Programs that can increase your adherence to your medication regimen:
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additional educational materials about understanding the importance of the prescribed
medicine. If you are not taking your medicine due to negative outcome, such as side
effect, you must discuss this with your physician.
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create a diary to keep track of your medicines and when they are taken.
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use a call-back service reminder.
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Questions to ask your community pharmacist or physician about your new medicine:
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What is the name of the medicine? Is this the brand or generic name?
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What is the medicine supposed to do?
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Is this medicine safe to use along with the other medicines and dietary supplements
I am taking?
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Am I allergic to any ingredients?
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How and when do I take it, and for how long? What should I do if I skip a dose?
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What foods, drinks, other medicines (including non-prescription) or activities should
I avoid while taking this medicine?
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What are the possible side effects? What do I do if they occur?
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Should I take any special precautions, such as avoiding exposure to sunlight or
dairy products, when taking this med?
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Does this medication require any special storage condition?
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Will I need any tests or monitoring while I am taking this medicine?
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Is there any written information available about the medicine?
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Grapefruit (and grapefruit juice) is the only citrus that blocks the breakdown
of some drugs in the liver and the small intestine. The result of this interaction
is higher-than-normal blood levels of the medications and setting up for some potential
side effects. The following is a list of some common drugs that interact with grapefruit
and grapefruit juice:
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atorvastatin (Lipitor®) simvastatin (Zocor®) lovastatin (Mevacor)®
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diazepam (Valium®) alprazolam (Xanax®) lorazepam (Ativan®)
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amitriptyline (Elavil®) desipramine (Norpramin®) imipramine (Tofranil®)
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verapamil (Calan®, Covera-HS®, Ispotin SR®, Verelan PM®) nifedipine
(AdalatCC®, Procardia®, Nefedical®)
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digoxin (Lanoxin®)
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Some common drugs that may cause hepatic (liver) dysfunction. It is recommended
that a Liver Function Test (LFT) be performed for these drugs:
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prior to initiation of therapy and any increase in dose.
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periodically thereafter.
• atorvastatin (Lipitor®) simvastatin (Zocor®), Lovastatin (Altocor®,
Mevacor®)
• rosuvastatin (Crestor®)
• gemfibrozil (Lopid®)
• genofibrate (Tricor®), Clofibrate (Atromid-S®)
• pioglitazone (Actos®), rosiglitazone (Avandia®)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral®), Itraconazole (Sporanox®)
• rifampin (Rifater®, Rifadin®, Rimactane®)
• azathioprine (Imuran®)
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