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A PATIENT’S GUIDE TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

IMPORTANT: If you are being treated for a recurrent or chronic disorder, you must learn as much as you can about the nature and medical management of your condition. The more you know about your disease or condition and its treatment, the more you’ll be able to use your prescribed medication safely and effectively. Never be afraid to ask your doctor or pharmacist questions. They will welcome the chance to help you understand your prescriptions.

WARNINGS:
• Drug Therapy: A doctor must always prescribe and explain what the drug is for and how to use it. The prescription has been selected specifically for your disease or condition, you must never take someone else’s medicine
• Expiration Date: Never take drugs past their expiration date.
• Dosage: Never exceed the recommended dosage.
• Missing Dosage: It is important that you take the medicine as scheduled. Do not double dosage.
• Alcohol: If you consume alcohol every day, ask your doctor whether you should take the prescribed drug or drugs. Drinking alcohol may cause – severe complications, such as lowering blood sugar to dangerous levels.
• Pregnancy: Be sure to tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant, or if you think you are pregnant. Women who are pregnant or are breast feeding babies, must ask their doctor or health care professional if they can take the drugs prescribed.
• Other Family Members: Members of your extended family must be aware of the medications prescribed for you and should be ready to help you in the event that side effects occur.
• Side Effects: Many side effects may need medical attention. You or an assigned member of your family should check with your doctor if any side effects occur or persist.
• Travel: When traveling, always keep a copy of your prescriptions and your medical history – preferably in the language of the country that you may be traveling to.
• Emergencies: You never know when you may need emergency care at home, at work, out of doors or while traveling. It is recommended that at all times you have with you a medical identification: an ID card in your wallet, a bracelet or neck chain.

KEEP ALL DRUGS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN:
In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. Quick medical attention is critical for adults as well as for children even if you do not notice any signs or symptoms.

COST CONTROL
It pays to know the difference between “Brand Name” drugs and “generic” drugs.

* Registered Brand Names: Manufacturers register trademarks (trade names) to the differentiate their drugs from competitors and add to the patent protection issued the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). The Brand Name also helps the pharmaceutical manufacturer to build awareness among doctors and customers through highly advertised efforts. These trademarks are usually selected to be catchy, memorable – and whenever possible – remind doctors and customers – of the disease or condition medicated.

• Generic Brand Names: The FDA also demands a generic – or nonproprietary – Brand Name that is based on the common or public name used to describe a drug. Many drugs are sold only under a Generic Name and tend to cost less than Brand Names. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) makes certain that manufacturers of generic drugs practice approved standards in the strength, quality, purity, packaging and labeling. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about generic drugs whenever your health insurance or health management organization (HMO) will not cover what your doctor’s prescribes.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PRESCRIPTIONS
Here are some simple steps that you should follow to be better informed:

1. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about your prescription.
2. Make sure that you understand a) what it is for, and b) how to take it.
3. Never use a prescription after the expiration date.

HEALTHSALUDUSA.COM – PERSONAL DRUG PROFILE

Knowing as much as possible about your body and your medicines can save your life. PRINT FORM and FILL OUT YOUR INFORMATION and keep this personal drug profile where you can get to it quickly. Take it with you when you visit your doctor or hospital as your personal drug profile
Here are several questions that will help you better understand and manage the drugs you have been prescribed. You should know how much of your medicines to take and when to take it. It’s always good to keep medication related information for each member of your family.

________________________________________________________________
Name Age
________________________________________________________________
Weight in pounds Height in inches
________________________________________________________________
Prescription drug allergies
________________________________________________________________
Non-prescription drug allergies
________________________________________________________________
Food allergies
________________________________________________________________
May kidneys* are:
[ ] Normal [ ] Mildly [ ] Moderately [ ] Severely [ ] Compromised

May liver is:
[ ] Normal [ ] Mildly [ ] Moderately [ ] Severely [ ] Compromised

Conditions or diseases that I have or have had:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Prescription and nonprescription medications I take regularly:

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

NOTE: Make certain that your dose is decreased if the drug is eliminated by an organ (such as the liver or kidneys) with which you have a problem. To determine which organs are involved, ask you doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse or pharmacist.

Prescription and nonprescription medication that you take regularly:

When I take medicines, I find it very difficult [ ] very easy [ ]

I become constipated rarely [ ] occasionally [ ] never [ ]

Urination is usually easy [ ] somewhat difficult [ ] very difficulty [ ]

On most nights, I sleep [ ] well [ ] poorly [ ] little [ ]

I have [ ] never had [ ] blood problems in the past.

I am considering becoming [ ] might be [ ] am [ ] pregnant.

The phone number of the nearest Poison Control Center is: _____________


For more information Customer Info – HealthSaludUSA, Inc.
350 Fifth Avenue Suite 1423 New York, New York 10118
Tel: (212) 629-6460
Fax: (212) 629-6560
E-mail: info.HealrthSaludUSA.com