A New Year’s Wish – Medication Lists

This is something I have done for myself.  As a physician, I would wish that every person who has any medical problems would do this for themselves, too.

Please make a list of every medication you take.  Copy the name of the medication off the bottle.  If you get them from different doctors, write down the doctor’s name.  Write down the dose of the medication.  How often do you take it?  What do you take it for? 

Here’s a chart that you can copy or use notebook paper to set up:

Medicine Name	Dose	Directions	Reason	Doctor’s Name

Add as many lines as you need.  Mine is over half a page.  It wouldn’t hurt to write your allergies on the bottom or the other side.  Also put down a contact number in case you are in an accident and are unable to talk.  Your primary doctor’s name and phone number would be nice on there, too.

If you put this paper in your wallet behind your driver’s license, it will be available for any emergency personnel.  It will also be available any time you go to a new doctor or hospital. 

I tend to forget at least one of my medications when I’m stressed.  I know I’m not the only one.  I’m especially bad with the newest ones.  I actually told my medical doctor I was on the dose that was purple.  I was sure it was 20 mg; he thought it was 10 mg. We had to open up sample bottles to figure out which one it was.  I was right. 

It would save medical people lots of time if everyone would take a few minutes and write down their medicines.  I keep my list in my computer in a table like the one above.  If you don’t know how, get your kids or your local computer geek to show you how.  We will all be glad you did.