How to Track Prescriptions for Physician Dispensed Drugs

It is important to track the prescription drugs that you are taking, so that you easily can let your doctor or pharmacist know and avoid drug interactions. Tens of millions of people in the United States depend on prescription and over-the-counter medications to sustain their health, and some die as a result of preventable medication errors. The FDA states that many of these medication-related risks are manageable if patients are committed to the safe use of medications.

Things You'll Need

• Prescriptions

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Instructions

• 1

  Make a list and post it in a safe place. Gather all your prescriptions, and write them down or create a spreadsheet. For each prescription, include the name, strength and quantity of medication; the date it was dispensed; and the condition for which it is prescribed. You can set up reminders for yourself on your calendar or through a software program to track when to call for refills. Make a separate sheet for each family member; you even can post these inside your medicine cabinet door.

• 2

  Ask your doctor for your medical history. If you are unsure of what medications have been prescribed for you, contact your physician and ask for a copy of your medical records and a list of your medications. It is extremely important that you are aware of the prescriptions you are taking, to avoid any drug interactions.

• 3

  Fill your prescriptions at the same pharmacy each time. The simplest way to track prescriptions from this point on is to ensure you are filling and re-filling your prescriptions at the same pharmacy each time. Some pharmacies have a special color coding system in which they can track and separate medications by color for each household member.