Why Do I Need a Medication List?

Apart from the apparent benefit of organizing your consumption of meds more efficiently, having a medicines list has a lot more value to it.

Here is what you can fill into the medicines list:

• All the meds you are taking, such as prescription pills, vitamins, herbals, supplements, etc.
• The purpose of each medication
• The dosage of the medicines
• The time of use

You can also write down additional notes. For example, you can fill in the date when you started taking the medication and when the medication course will be over.

Filling in a medication list form gives you a clear insight into all the medications you are taking. Besides this, keeping a list of medicines will:

• help you remember the exact names of the pills you are taking;
• remind you of the proper time to take your meds;
• give your healthcare specialists a clear overview of your situation with medications;
• be a precise piece of information in case of an emergency;

• foster better results of medication therapy;
• save time during medical consultations; and
• protect you from unwanted side effects caused by overdosage.

In the long run, all these factors will help you not to forget to take the essential medicines and boost your overall health.

How Should My Medication List Look?

There is no standard template of a medicines list. It depends on your personal preferences. You can find plenty of examples on the Internet and pick the one that suits you best. Alternatively, you can personalize your list and create one yourself so that it fits your taste.

There are numerous variations of how the list of medicines can look. Read on to discover excellent medication list template options.

Paper Med List

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A paper version of a medicine list is still the most efficient one for emergencies, as healthcare workers can have immediate access to it. Also, some people prefer the paper version over the digital one.

Whether you are searching for a printable version online or creating one yourself, make sure that your paper list of medications includes the following information:

• Your information, including name, date of birth, emergency contacts, allergies, blood type, etc.
• Chronic illnesses
• List of all medications you are currently taking with starting date
• Contacts of your doctor (ask for consent before filling it in)

You may also add a “notes” column, where you can mention why you are taking every medicine.

Such a patient medication list template can play a vital role in an emergency, as well as serve its purpose during regular medical check-ups. It will also be a useful reminder for you to track when you started taking a particular medication.

Try to keep the paper med list you have made with you wherever you go outside, especially if you are heading for a medical check-up or to the pharmacy.

Medication Checklist

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A printed or written medication checklist serves a slightly different purpose than a medication list. You can use the checklist as a tracker of medication consumption. Since it is typically for personal use only, it isn’t necessary to include personal information.

A medication checklist template should include all the parameters that you will need to track your pills, vitamins, and herbals daily consumption. Here are the columns that you can add to the checklist:

• A full list of medications you are taking
• Dosage
• Timing
• Slots, representing days of the week to mark the consumption of meds
• Notes

In the notes section, you can write down how you feel the day you started the medication. Fill in this section if there is something unusual about your physical or mental state. You can also note the side effects that you possibly experienced with other medicines in the past. These markings may help your healthcare provider track the dynamics of your state of health and avoid medication errors.

Medication Tracker Apps

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The most modern way to track your consumption of medications is by downloading an app. It is incredibly convenient for everyday use, with notifications available for the times when you need to take a pill.

Most such apps combine the functions of a tracker and a medication list and are completely automated. One of the main advantages of having an app with a pill checklist for tracking medications is that you carry it with you installed on your device wherever you go. All you have to do is mark the action as complete every time you take a medication.

Whichever approach you choose to create a patient medication list form, always make sure to keep it organized and have it in close reach.

How Do I Keep My Medications Organized?

When in a hospital, the nurses take care of the patients’ timely intake of medicines. However, when at home, people have to control the consumption of the medications for themselves or their loved ones on their own.

While some people prefer to hang a printed checklist on the fridge, others use a phone app. However, if you have a lot of medications to take, keeping a large number of medicine jars and boxes on the kitchen table is often not efficient.

Is there no more rational way to store tablets intended for daily use? Of course, there is! The solution is a pill box. It is a special container designed to store various medicines.

The principal purpose of pill boxes is the compact and orderly storage of medicines. Such an organizer is a real find for those who:

• have to take medications daily (pills, vitamins, herbals, oral contraceptives, etc.);
• suffer from memory lapses – a pill box is especially relevant for seniors and forgetful people; and
• plan going on a short trip during which they may need certain medications.

Using pill boxes offers a lot of advantages. Here are some of them:

• You save time – it is enough to sort medicines into compartments once, rather than go through multiple containers daily.
• You have one less thing to worry about – smart organization of medications consumption saves you from unnecessary stress.
• It is convenient – you can use a pill box not only at home but also during travel.

Pill boxes for seniors and younger people are an excellent choice to keep your space organized. Fortunately, the cost of pill organizer boxes offered by modern manufacturers is low.

How to Choose a Pill Box

The containers for storing pills nowadays exist in all kinds of shapes and colors. You can find them in online stores, supermarkets, pharmacies. Not sure which one to choose? Rely on your taste and needs. After all, some people need to take medicines once a day, while others need to organize the morning and evening intake.

The main feature you should consider is the number of sections in the pill box. Some organizers have enough space for a day, a week, or even a month worth of pills. On the covers of the sections, you can see notes: from Monday to Sunday or “morning-day-evening.”

Plastic options are typically in the highest demand since they are light and compact. Less common are silicone and metal variants.

If you have problems with your eyesight, choose a container for the visually impaired. On it, all the inscriptions consist of large braille.

Those who are especially afraid to forget about the timely intake of medicines can get a special pill box with a timer. It will make a sound signal that will remind you that you should take medication. Alternatively, you can just put a timer on your phone.

Do not store the pill box in direct sunlight. It should be in a dark and yet accessible place. Do not forget to mark the consumption on your med list form or an app!

Why Is It Important to Keep Medications Organized?

If, while creating a target medication list, worrying about checklists and storage boxes seems like too much of a hassle, think about the side effects that accompany medication errors. Keeping medications organized prevents you from:

• Missing medications
• Dosing errors
• Drug interactions

In the age category of 70-79, almost half of the elders in the US take at least five prescription medicines. Statistically, over 50,000 seniors aged over 80 have emergencies related to medication errors in the United States every year. Prescription drugs for conditions, such as allergies, anxiety, diabetes, and hormonal disbalances, cause harmful effects in case of over- or underdosing.

Medication errors may cause such adverse effects as:

• Poisoning
• Disorientation
• Loss of effect of the medication
• Respiratory problems
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration
• Poor sleep
• Fatigue

Severe cases of overdosage of certain substances may lead to a lethal effect. Take medications responsibly and consult your healthcare provider in case if something is unclear.

It is crucial to know the essential information about the medications you are taking to avoid unwanted effects. Make a list of pills you are taking and consult the instructions or ask your doctor the following questions:

• How long does the medication course last?
• What is the dose?
• When should I take this medicine?
• Is there something I should avoid when taking this medication (alcohol, driving, specific food, herbals)?
• What are this medication’s side effects, and what should I do if they occur?
• Can I take several particular medicines at the same time?

Make sure you know the answers to all these questions. You can use a blank medication list to fill in all the data for future reference. Also, do not add over-the-counter drugs without consulting your healthcare specialist.

At All American Healthcare, our qualified professionals provide the best service to all patients. You can trust our assistants to take care of the intake of the medications. They will make sure that the process is always organized and timely. Contact us now to receive free information about reliable homecare!

Medication List Form Template

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