Medication Review
Medication lists can become inaccurate after a hospital visit, specialist appointment, dose change, or new over-the-counter product. When several clinicians are involved, a patient may be unsure which instructions are current or whether a symptom could be related to treatment.
Baharvar Medical Clinic provides medication review as part of internal and geriatric medicine care. James J. Baharvar, MD, reviews what the patient is actually taking, the reason for each medicine, reported effects, and questions that may require follow-up with a prescriber or specialist.
Building One Accurate Medication List
The first step is reconciliation: comparing the medical record with the medicines the patient currently takes. The list should include prescription drugs, inhalers, injections, creams, eye drops, over-the-counter pain relievers, sleep products, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
For each item, include the name, strength, dose, timing, reason, and prescribing clinician when known. Bringing the original containers can help when names or doses are uncertain.
Questions a Review Can Clarify
A medication review may identify duplicate products, unclear instructions, missed doses, difficulty opening containers, cost barriers, or symptoms that began after a treatment change. It can also reveal that the patient is taking a medicine differently from the written directions.
Not every concern means a medication should be stopped. The physician must consider why it was prescribed, the risk of changing it, and whether coordination with another clinician is needed.
Older Adults and Multiple Prescriptions
Older adults can be more sensitive to dizziness, sedation, low blood pressure, constipation, confusion, and other effects. Changes in kidney or liver function can also influence how the body handles some medicines.
Geriatric medication review considers how the full regimen affects daily function, falls, appetite, sleep, and the ability to follow the schedule. Caregiver input may be useful when authorized by the patient.
After Hospital or Specialist Care
Medication instructions often change after discharge or a specialist visit. Bring the discharge summary, updated prescription list, and any instructions about medicines that were started, stopped, or temporarily held.
If the documents conflict, do not guess. Contact the appropriate medical office for guidance. Severe allergic reactions, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, or other dangerous symptoms require emergency care.
Safe Medication Habits
Use one updated list and carry it to medical appointments. Note allergies and previous serious reactions. Use reminders or organizers only when they fit the patient’s abilities and the medication instructions.
Never share prescriptions, take another person’s medication, or stop a medicine suddenly without medical guidance. Some drugs can cause serious problems if they are discontinued abruptly.
What to Expect During the Visit
- Collect every prescription, nonprescription product, and supplement.
- Confirm dose, timing, purpose, prescriber, and actual use.
- Discuss side effects, missed doses, cost, or practical barriers.
- Compare recent hospital and specialist instructions.
- Create an updated list and identify questions requiring coordination.