Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I get off these medications?”

It’s no secret that U.S. citizens, on average, take more medications than the citizens of any other country in the world.  But is our health that much better as a result?

Short answer – no.

Even though the true answer to this question involves many complicated issues, there is one thing you can be doing right now if your goal is to get off your medications – talk to your pharmacist – and here’s why.

Pharmacists are drug experts.

Having to take multiple medications can be confusing, expensive, or just plain inconvenient. Your pharmacist spent countless hours of intense study and clinical practice learning what drugs you should take, why you should take them, and what that drug can to do to help you.  Pharmacists are drug experts.  They also get huge amounts of training on things you can do to improve your health, aside from taking medications.

Can’t seem to get your diabetes under control? Worried about your blood pressure?

As drug experts, your pharmacist is in a unique position to help you figure out what changes you can make in your daily life that could help you get off of some of your medications.

Find your advocate.

Doctors are under tremendous pressure these days, and some may not be able to spend as much time as they would like with you.  Have you ever left a doctor’s office with a prescription in your hand and feel like you have more questions than answers?

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and many other professionals work together in a team to care for you, and since the pharmacy is usually your last stop before you go home, pharmacists can be your advocate. Your voice.

The concept of your pharmacist as your health advocate is nothing new, and it’s a topic that deserves its own separate conversation; one we will dive into at a later time.  For now, we’ll just say that if you feel you just take too many medications and want to get off of some or simplify your regimen, your pharmacist is uniquely qualified to initiate that conversation with your doctors in a coordinated effort to find opportunities to reduce the burden of having to take so many medications.  

Sometimes drugs can be combined into combination regimens. Sometimes a pharmacist can recommend an alternative that requires less frequent dosing. In other instances, new definitive clinical data may suggest that you no longer need a particular medication. Doctors and pharmacists working together can make a powerful duo to ensure you’re getting the best care possible.

Facing the facts.

Sometimes it is a necessity to take some pills every day to prevent other, more serious health issues from arising. Just one of those facts of life. Another important point is to never stop taking a medication unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you it’s ok to.  Some medications require special instructions before you can stop.

You owe it to yourself to seek out professional medication advice from a pharmacist you trust. With expertise in how to best manage medication regimens, a personal medication review by your pharmacist can give you peace of mind that your meds are only and exactly what you need.

Do you have more questions about how to best manage your medications? Feel free to email richard@medvize.com.