Sieda Behavioral Health and Treatment Services (BHTS) Prevention staff can provide medication safety presentations to senior citizens and other community groups. Here is some advice to reduce your risk with prescription drugs from Sieda Behavioral Health & Treatment.

  1. Take medicine as prescribed. Take your medication regularly and according to the doctor’s instructions.  Don’t take medication that is not prescribed to you.  Don’t skip or stop taking a medication just because you feel better or don’t like the side effects.  Consult with your health care provider before making changes
  2. Keep a medication list. With all the possible providers we may see, it is important to have a current, up-to-date list of our medications.  Carry this in your purse or wallet.  Your list should include the medicine’s brand and generic names, why you are taking it, the dosage, and how often you take it.
  3. Be aware of drug interactions and side effects. Interactions can occur in any of the following situations:
    • One drug affects how another works
    • A medical condition you have makes a certain drug potentially harmful
    • An herbal or supplement affects the action of the drug
    • A food or non-alcoholic drink reactions with a drug
    • An alcoholic drink interacts with a drug 
  1. Review medications with your health care provider. Many healthcare providers now ask that patients bring their medications with them to each office visit.  This practice is especially helpful when a patient sees multiple providers who all may prescribe medications.

Furthermore, don’t forget to dispose properly of prescription medications. Your county has a disposal box for old or unneeded medications. Listed to the right are the counties ‘Medication Disposal Box’ locations in the Sieda Behavioral Health & Treatment service area.

Sieda Behavioral Health and Treatment Services team is here to help.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 641-683-6747.