Understood Care
Knowing your medication means more than remembering when to take a pill. It means understanding what it does, how and when to take it, what to avoid, and how to track it all. If you are managing more than one condition or caring for someone who is, these skills can prevent problems and help your treatment work better.
Use this step by step guide to build confidence and stay safe.
When you understand your medicines you can make better choices and avoid common problems. Clear knowledge helps you
• Use each medicine as intended
• Reduce side effects and interactions
• Prevent duplicate therapies and unnecessary pills
• Share accurate information with every member of your care team
Create a single, up to date list that you can bring to every appointment. Include
• Prescription medicines with dose and timing
• Over the counter products such as pain relievers, allergy pills, and heartburn remedies
• Vitamins, minerals, and herbal or dietary supplements
• Topical creams, eye drops, patches, and injections
• As needed medicines and when you last used them
• Any previous drug allergies or serious reactions
Update the list after every change. Keep a copy in your wallet or phone. Share it with your family or caregiver.
For each item on your list, write down answers to these questions
• What is the name of the medicine and what is it for
• How much should I take and how often
• Should I take it with food or water
• What should I avoid such as certain foods, alcohol, sunlight, or driving
• What are the common side effects and when should I call my doctor
• What should I do if I miss a dose
• How should I store it and when does it expire
If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist or clinician. Bring the bottle or a photo of the label.
Pharmacies provide patient information with many prescriptions. It explains how to use the medicine, the most important risks, and what to do in urgent situations. Review it the first time you receive a medicine and again if your dose changes. Save the handout in case questions come up later.
Look for
• The official name and strength
• The main use or indication
• Instructions for timing and meals
• Serious warnings sometimes called boxed warnings
• Signs of allergic reaction and when to seek help
• Interactions with other medicines and supplements
Every over the counter package includes a Drug Facts label that follows a standard format. Use it to compare products and choose safely. Pay attention to
• Active ingredient and strength to avoid doubling up with a prescription or another over the counter product
• Uses so you know what symptoms it treats
• Warnings and when not to use the product
• Directions including age based dosing and maximum daily amounts
• Other information such as storage guidance
• Inactive ingredients in case of allergies or intolerances
If the label is hard to read, ask the pharmacist to explain it and to check for conflicts with your current list.
Interactions can happen between prescription medicines, over the counter products, and supplements. To reduce risk
• Share your full list with every clinician and pharmacist
• Use one pharmacy when possible so safety checks can run across your medicines
• Ask about alcohol, caffeine, and food interactions such as grapefruit
• Check for duplicate ingredients like acetaminophen that appear in many cold and flu products
• Be careful with herbal products that may change how the body processes medicines
Contact your clinician if you notice new symptoms after starting a medicine or supplement.
Medication reconciliation is the process of comparing your current list with what is ordered during a visit, hospital stay, or after discharge. The goal is one accurate list that all providers and caregivers use. Bring your list and bottles to every visit. Ask the team to confirm the list, remove old items, and explain any changes. An Understood Care Advocate can organize your complete list, coordinate with your pharmacist to catch interactions, and make sure every clinician and caregiver has the same updated version after each visit or hospital stay. Ready for help? Call (646) 904-4027 or sign up at https://app.understoodcare.com.
Some situations call for extra care
• Starting or stopping a medicine that affects the heart, blood pressure, blood sugar, breathing, or mental health
• Using more than one medicine that makes you sleepy or dizzy
• Taking many medicines at once also called polypharmacy
• Returning home after a hospital stay
• New trouble with memory, vision, or swallowing that affects how you take pills
In these moments, ask for a clear plan, written instructions, and a follow up check.
Consistency helps you use medicines correctly. Consider
• A pill organizer with compartments for morning, midday, evening, and bedtime
• Phone reminders or a paper chart near where you store medicines
• Linking doses to daily routines such as breakfast or brushing your teeth
• Setting up automatic refills and a calendar reminder to reorder early
• Asking a caregiver or advocate to review your setup and help when needed
Protect medicines from heat, moisture, and light unless the label says otherwise. Many bathrooms are humid. A bedroom drawer or kitchen cabinet away from the stove and sink is often better. Keep medicines in their original containers unless your pharmacist provides a labeled blister pack or you use a labeled organizer. Store all medicines out of reach of children and pets.
Call your clinician or pharmacist if you have
• A rash, swelling, trouble breathing, severe nausea, or confusion
• A side effect that does not improve or limits your daily life
• Concerns about cost or confusion about instructions
• A missed dose for a medicine that protects the heart, prevents clots, or treats seizures
Call emergency services for severe allergic reactions, chest pain, trouble breathing, or other life threatening symptoms.
As your health changes, medicines may need to be adjusted or stopped. Share your goals for pain relief, sleep, mood, and daily function. Ask your clinician to review which medicines still help, which may no longer be needed, and whether lower doses or safer alternatives are possible. An Understood Care Advocate can help you set clear goals, review your medicine list, prepare questions for your visit, and coordinate follow up so changes stay safe and aligned with what matters to you.
Use this quick list during visits
• Bring your updated medication list and bottles
• Ask what to start, stop, or change and why
• Confirm how to take each item and what to avoid
• Review side effects that require a call or a visit
• Plan follow up and who to contact with questions
If you would like hands on support, care advocates can help organize your list, prepare questions for visits, and coordinate changes after appointments. The following pages explain how we help with communication, appointments, and care coordination. Links are provided in the References section.
This content is for education only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have new weakness, severe pain, fever with confusion, chest pain, or trouble breathing, call emergency services.
We know navigating Medicare and care needs can feel lonely, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our caring team takes care of the paperwork, claims, and home care so you’re always supported.
