Both consumers and nurses should care about this topic. As consumers you may not be able to afford a brand name medication and want to opt for using generic medication . What you should take away from this blogsite is to chose wisely for the drug that is most safe and effective for you, whether it be a brand name or generic name product. Be aware of the risks and benefits when choosing. As nurses you will constantly be in contact with medications. The proper mechanics should be used when handling medication drugs.
Some tips on how to further educate yourself are listed below:
For consumers:
- Confirm that you have the correct medication.
- Make sure you look at your medication whenever you get a refill. If it looks different, the pharmacist may have filled you prescription with medication from a different source
- See your doctor if you experience worsening or new side effects
For nurses:
- Utilize the five rights of passing medicine which are : 1. right medication 2. right dose 3. right time 4. right route 5. right patient
- If a medcation order does not seem right, question it
- Be proactive
- Know you medication names
- Double check if you are not sure about something
- Never assume
- Teach patient about how to be safe
Source: Brute Froce Study Guide, Gene Grzywacz, 2009
http://bruteforcestudyguide.com/nursedrugs.html
Neurlogy Now, Kimberlee Roth, 2007
So now that you have information. Let’s see what you think! Please comment on any of our posts to share your thoughts with us. And read below on possible solutions to the introduction scenarios we have to offer.
Scenario #1: Consumers: Ask a nurse or doctor about generic options that are available that are cost effective and have the same amount of efficacy as the brand name drug. Educate yourself with researching your specific drug and discuss findings with your health care provider. Write down your side effects to discuss with your doctor. Report complaints to the FDA. Call your healthcare provider before stopping a drug for any reason.
Nurses: Educate patient on side effects, costs and benefits that are specific for them. Talk with MD/NP about prescribing generic equivalents. Remember to tell your patients to inform you if they want/need to switch to generics, otherwise they may change without your knowledge.
Scenario #2: Consumers: Call you healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects that are not common to you. Check next time with your provider about the side effects that you may experience prior to switching drugs.
Nurses: Assess your patient to see what has recently changed with their prescription: Are they taking it at a different time? Did they get switched to the generic? Educate them on side effects that are common. Talk about options to change them back to brand name drugs or alternatives.
