Medications are great tools to help us fight our Migraines and headaches and work toward health, wellness, and a better quality of life. Using migraine medications safely is our responsibility.
It’s important to mention that when I say “medications,” I meant prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, herbal products, everything.
We tend to think that “natural” means safe, but we forget that these “natural” substances were actually mankind’s first drugs. They act as drugs in our bodies, and they have precautions and potential side effects just as prescription medications do.
That said, medications can do more harm than good if not used correctly.
We cannot sit back and leave all the safety issues to our doctors and pharmacists. Try as they may, there will be times when details may be left out of explanations.
There are things about storage and usage of medication that are so basic that our doctors can’t mention them every time he or she writes a prescription.
Please use the tips below as a guide for using migraine medications safely. AND, if you have tips to share, let me know!
Let’s be safe!
1. Talk to your doctor when he or she writes your prescription…
- What type of medication is it?
- What should it do for you?
- Should the medication be taken in any particular way – certain time of day, with or without food?
- What are the potential side effects?
Questions specific to headache and Migraine medications can include…
- How early in an episode you should take it?
- Are there other medications you should know to avoid for any period of time after taking this one?
2. At the pharmacy, stop and read the consumer medication information leaflet…
3. If you think of questions at home, call your doctor…
It’s not at all unusual to think of questions about your medication after you get home. If you do, jot down any questions you may have and call your doctor’s office. Your doctor or nurse should be happy to answer your questions. It’s a good idea to make notes about their answers and attach them to the CMI that came with your prescription.
4. Once your questions are answered, file the CMI for future reference…
5. Store your meds so they stay safe and in good condition…
6. NEVER flush unused meds…
Flushing unused medications has been shown to be harmful to the environment. Ask your doctor or pharmacist the best way to dispose of unused meds in your area.
7. Do you have trouble remembering to take your medications?
Missing doses of your medications can render them useless to you in some cases. Missing doses of some medications can also create complications. Organization is essential. If you have problems remembering if you’ve taken your medications for the day, it can be helpful to set them up in advance so all you have to do is look at the container the day’s meds are in to see if you’ve taken them. If you need to take medications at times during the day that are difficult or inconvenient, try setting an alarm or using a medications organizer that has an alarm on it.
8. Share information and form a team of your doctors…
9. Review all of your medications with your doctor periodically…
10. Knowledge…
11. Who’s ultimately responsible for our safety?
Who is ultimately responsible for our health and safety? We are. These tips for safe medication use will help us make sure we’re using migraine medications safely and wisely.