Preventing Medication Related Falls - Valid until Monday 31 Dec 2018
What You Can Do to Reduce Your Fall Risk-
Know why you are taking each medication and the proper dosage.
Always read the label on new medications to be aware of possible side effects and interactions - especially if you take 4 or more.
Ask for large print labels if you need them, and ask your pharmacist for more information if necessary. Take medications as prescribed and follow all directions on the labels.
Keep an up-to-date medication list, including those you take on an as-needed basis and ones that caused problems in the past.
Bring all your medications (prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal remedies) to your doctor or pharmacist for review - especially if you have fallen or have balance problems. Your doctor or pharmacist can help determine if any medications or dosages could contribute to falls and whether any should be stopped or replaced with alternative medications.
Tell your doctor right away if you notice any side effects after taking a medication (see page 1 for side effects).
Use the same pharmacy for all prescriptions - it makes it easier to check for problems.
Avoid drinking alcohol when taking medications - it can affect how they work, worsen side effects, and cause problems with balance.
If you fall, write down immediately where and when you fell, how you fell, what you were doing, and how you were feeling. Call your doctor to provide this information as soon as you can.
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