Not only do people usually take more medicines as they age and develop some health problems, but as people age, body changes can affect the way the medicines are absorbed and used. Changes in the digestive tract affect how quickly a medicine is absorbed. If your body weight has changed, that can affect how much medicine you need and how long it remains in the body. The circulatory system can slow down, which affects how quickly medicine reach the liver and kidneys, and then are excreted from the body. Older people are more at risk from falls and dizziness if they take medicines such as water pills. These medicines can cause dehydration.

Be sure to include OTC medicines, vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies, eye drops, and skin products such as creams and ointments. This can help you avoid possibly dangerous interactions between medicines or with supplements.

If it's hard for you to tell them apart, your healthcare provider can possibly prescribe them in pill forms that are more distinctive. If you have trouble remembering to take your medicines, use a calendar or pillbox. But remember, to be as safe as you can, keep all your pills in their original containers. This means all prescriptions and OTC pills. Keep in mind that generic medicines may look completely different from what you had been taking. Knowing how your pills look is also helpful when you pick up a refill at the pharmacy. If the medicine looks different from previous refills, always check with the pharmacist to be sure you have the correct medicine and dose.

Refill maintenance prescriptions in advance to avoid running out. This is especially important if you take daily medicines for high blood pressure, a heart condition, or diabetes. Ask your healthcare provider to write your maintenance medicine prescriptions with refills, so you don’t have to go back to the provider’s office every time you need more of a prescription. Tell your provider when you use your last refill so a new prescription can be sent to your pharmacy.

Your diet can influence how your body uses medicines. For example, eating a very low-fat or high-calcium diet can alter how well medicines work. Tell your healthcare provider how much caffeine (coffee, tea, and cola) you consume, if you drink alcohol and how much you drink, and if you use any tobacco products such as cigarettes chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes. These substances also can affect how well your medicines work. You may need to take some of your medicines on an empty stomach. Others may be best taken with food. Antacids with calcium can interfere with how thyroid medicines are absorbed.

Bring your pills in their original prescription or OTC bottles to each appointment that you have with your healthcare providers. Ask your provider to check on how well a medicine that you regularly take is working. Do you still need to take it? Are there any lifestyle changes you can make that might allow you to take less of the medicine or even stop taking it altogether? If your healthcare provider wants you to keep taking certain medicines, do not stop without your provider’s OK. Certain medicines need to be gradually decreased over time so that you don't have withdrawal symptoms. A yearly review is also good for your medicine cabinet. Look through it and discard safely any medicines that have expired.

Potentially dangerous medicine interactions are more likely to be detected if one pharmacist fills all your prescriptions.

Never take someone else's medicine. Taking someone else's medicine can mask your own symptoms and make your condition more difficult to diagnose. Remember that your age, weight, other medicines and doses, and other health conditions are unique to you. If you have trouble paying for your prescribed medicines, ask your healthcare provider if there are any programs that can help with medicine costs.

Turn on the light and make sure you're taking the right medicine. If you need to take more than one type of medicine at the same time, don't keep them by your bed, to avoid confusion. If you must keep them there, and you don't have small children or pets in your home, put the pills you need in a little saucer or cup on your bedside table.