Patient education: Taking medicines – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED, and the doctor told you to keep taking your current medicines, change or stop a medicine, or start a new medicine. Medicines can help you feel better, but it is important to take them exactly as instructed. Taking the wrong dose, taking a medicine the wrong way, stopping a medicine too soon, or not taking a medicine prescribed for you can harm you.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medicines. Tell them if you are having trouble with side effects or having trouble paying for your medicines.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Tell them if the doctor in the ED told you to stop taking a medicine, take a new medicine, or change a dose. Talk to them about how to get refills for any new medicines. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●For each of your medicines, make sure you know:

•Why you are taking it

•The dose

•When to take it

•How to take it

•If you should take it with food or between meals

•If there are important side effects to watch for

•If you need to do anything else while taking it, like change your diet or avoid driving

•What to do if you miss a dose

●If your medicine will need refills, get the refill before you run out.

●Do not stop taking a medicine without talking to your doctor first, even if you start to feel better.

●Tell your doctor if you have side effects. Some side effects might get better or go away as your body gets used to the medicine.

●To help remember to take your medicines:

•Set a routine, like always taking your medicines after brushing your teeth.

•Set a calendar reminder. There are also apps that can text you to remind you.

•Use a daily or weekly pill box or blister pack to organize your medicines.

●Each time you go to the doctor or hospital, tell them about all your medicines, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements. It is especially important to ask whether you should take a new medicine along with the old ones or instead of the old ones. It helps to write down and bring a list of your medicines, or bring a bag with all your medicines with you.

●Ask your doctor or pharmacist before you take any new over-the-counter medicines or supplements. They can tell you if it's safe for you.

●If you are having trouble swallowing pills or taking your medicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to take your medicine.

●Store medicines where children and pets cannot get to them.

●Do not take medicines prescribed for somebody else. Do not give your medicines to other people.

When should I get emergency help? — 

If you accidentally take too much medicine, call the poison center right away. In the US, the phone number is 1-800-222-1222.

If you think you are having a medical emergency, call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1).

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you:

●Have any questions about your medicines

●Run out of medicine before getting a refill

●Have new or worsening symptoms

More on this topic

Patient education: Why taking your medicine as prescribed is important (The Basics)
Patient education: Medication safety (The Basics)
Patient education: Side effects from medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Brand versus generic medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking medicines when you're older (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking medicines during pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Giving your child medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Hazardous medicine safety at home (The Basics)
Patient education: Coping with high drug prices (The Basics)

Patient education: Coping with high prescription drug prices in the United States (Beyond the Basics)