Pushing 60

This information is provided by Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. An Agency of The Government of Alberta.

This might be a good time to review some issues related to your use of drugs and your health, so you can enjoy many active years to come.

Mature Adults: You Are Different Now

You may need lower dosages of drugs than when you ere younger.
Your body uses drugs more slowly now. More drug stays in your body for a longer time and your tolerance to it decreases, so you need less drug to do the job. The result? You could become ill or "over-does" taking the same amount as when you were younger.

Alcohol is a drug too.
Your usual number and strength of drinks could have a greater effect on you now, so you may want to cut back.

Consult a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before taking alcohol with any other drug.
Mixing alcohol with prescription or over-the-counter drugs can lead to trouble. Severe confusion, loss of consciousness, or even death can result from taking alcohol with: tranquilizers, sleeping pills, pain killers, and in large doses, cold medicines like antihistamines.

You may have to take drugs for a long time to treat long-term conditions.
The wonders of modern medicine and your healthier lifestyle help you enjoy a longer life than people did in the past. The price you pay may be regular, long-term use of several different drugs. Keeping these drugs straight is not easy. Staying organized will help.

You face a higher risk of drugs making you sick.
Wrong dosage, the combination of several different drugs, or taking drugs improperly can be the culprits causing symptoms you may blame on aging, not on drugs. By keeping accurate records of your prescribed drugs, how and when t take them, any reactions or symptoms you have when you use them, you can help your doctor adjust the dosage to the best level for you. Together you can identify drug-related problems.

Don't forget to tell you doctor about the non-prescription drugs you take as well, so you both have a clear and complete picture.

You may see more than one doctor.
Each of your doctors must know about all your drugs to give you the best advice.

You And Your Health

• Lifestyle makes a difference. Watching your diet, getting enough exercise and keeping active socially can make you feel better and more in control of your health.
• Know the drugs you take. Keep a complete list, noting the drug's name, what it is supposed to do, any side effects it can cause, and how and when you should take it. Include the effects of taking the drug with food or alcohol. You might attach a copy of the list to your Alberta Health Care Card.
• Use pill boxes/containers with several compartments or keep checklists handy to make sure you're taking all your drugs at the right times.
• Be informed about your own condition by reading articles and books. Your library, doctor, or public health unit can give you material. Check your phone book for organizations that provide information, advocacy, and support.

You And Your Doctor

• Prepare for your doctor's appointment. Make a list of problems, specific symptoms, and any questions you wish to discuss. Take your drug list, or the drugs themselves, (both prescription and the over-the-counter medications) with you.
• Tell the nurse or receptionist how much time you need with the doctor to help them schedule the appointment.
• Ask about alternatives to prescribed drugs. Ask if there are less costly generic drugs, and if you've been given the lowest effective dosage.
• Be clear about the details of how and when to take the drug. Should you take all of the prescription? Do you take the drug regularly or as needed, and should you stop taking it when your symptoms disappear? What should you do if you miss taking a dose?
• Ask about side effects. Tell your doctor about any reactions or allergies you've had to drugs in the past. Ask about the common side effects of the drug being prescribed and if you should stop taking the medication if they appear.

You And Your Pharmacist

• Use the same pharmacy for all your prescriptions. The staff will keep records of your drugs and can be more helpful if they know you and all the medications you are taking.
• Ask your pharmacist any questions about the purpose of the drug and how it is taken.
• Pay attention to drug caution codes, noting concerns about combining the drug with food, alcohol, or other medications, and methods of storing the drug properly. Ask your pharmacist to explain the instructions clearly to make sure you understand them completely.
• Ask for appropriate packaging. Child-proof bottles may not be required and may be difficult t=for you to open. Be sure any drugs are kept out of reach of visiting children.
• Get rid of drugs you no longer take. Your pharmacist can help you decide which drugs to throw away and how to dispose of them safely.

This information is provided by Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. An Agency of The Government of Alberta.

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