You should review your medications at least once a year with your doctor or pharmacist. If you take five or more medicines, are over 65, or have new health problems, you may need reviews more often. Regular checks help keep you safe and make sure your medicines still work right.
When to Get a Medication Review
Once a Year for Everyone
Your annual checkup is a great time to review all your medicines. Bring all your bottles and go through everything together.
More Often If You:
- Take five or more medicines regularly
- Are over 65 years old
- Just left the hospital
- Started a new medication recently
- Have new side effects like dizziness or upset stomach
- Feel like a medicine isn’t working anymore
What Happens During a Review
Your pharmacist or doctor looks at your complete medicine list. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. They check for problems like:
- Medicines that don’t work well together
- Doses that need adjusting
- Pills you don’t need anymore
- Missing medicines you should be taking
Studies show 54% of adults aged 65 and older take four or more prescription drugs, which increases the need for regular reviews.
How to Prepare
Bring Everything: Pack all your medicine bottles, vitamins, and supplements in a bag.
Make a List: Write down any side effects or questions you have.
Be Honest: Tell the truth about missed doses or medicines you stopped taking.
Professional medication reviews help catch problems early and keep you healthy.
Why Reviews Matter
Your body changes over time. The dose that worked five years ago might be too strong now. Each new medication increases your fall risk by 7%, making regular reviews important for safety.
Reviews also help you save money by stopping medicines you don’t need. They make sure all your medicines work together without causing harm.
Final Thoughts
Getting your medications reviewed once a year keeps you healthy and safe. If you’re over 65 or take multiple medicines, schedule a medication review at VillageRx Pharmacy in Glen Ellyn. Contact us to set up your review today.