We take many medicines, both prescription and non-prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Used properly, medicine can greatly enhance your quality of life. But if used without proper care, medicine could be your worst enemy.

To correctly use your prescription medicine, you need to understand the medicine you are taking. For medicine to work right it has to be: the right drug to the right person in the right dose at the right time.

You, as the patient, also need to take responsibility for your medicine. The "7 Knows" is one way to learn about your prescription and OTC medicine.

1. Know the name of the medicine and what it looks like - Some brand name products are changing from capsules to tablets and some identical generic products may not look the same from different manufacturers. Always ask if you're not sure.
2. Know why you need to take the medicine - Ask your doctor or nurse prescriber.
3. Know the dosage - How much and how many times a day and how much time between doses.
4. Know how the medicine should be taken -Whether it can be crushed; should it be taken with food or on an empty stomach; should you avoid antacids, vitamins, grapefruit, or herbals while taking your medicine.
5. Know about unwanted effects, such as side effects or allergic reactions. Some side effects are merely bothersome and will go away in time; others require immediate care from your doctor or other health professional.
6. Know how long you need to take your medicine. And take your medicine for the full length of time.
7. Know how to store your medicine - Away from the steam of a bathroom or stove - refrigerated or in a cupboard - in the original bottle or in labeled pillbox.

All this adds up to taking your medicine as your doctor prescribes it and your pharmacist dispenses it. Remember, as former Surgeon General C. Everet Koop said, "Drugs don't work when people don't take them".

I hope you will send in any questions you may have about your prescriptions and how to take them.

David L. Isaacs RPh