Medications

At Miami Valley Hospital (MVH) we know that medication often plays a major role in health care. It is important to us to ensure that the medications you take are safe and effective. We give you all the information you may need about the medication you receive at MVH, and it is very important that you discuss the medicines you take with us.

Your Hospital Medications

For your protection, all medications you take while you are in the hospital must be prescribed by your doctor, dispensed by the hospital pharmacy, and administered by a nurse. If you’ve brought medications from home, please give them to your nurse. Once your nurse has documented them, we ask that a family member take them home.

Common Sense Tips for Managing Your Medicines

It is important for you to know what medicines you are taking and why. Knowing this information can help you use your medicine safely. It also helps the medicines to work best for you. Please use the guidelines below when taking your medicines.

Information You Should Give to Your Doctor, Nurse, or Pharmacist

The names of all medicines you take, including:

• Over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol or aspirin
• Vitamins
• Herbs or herbal products
• Any problems you have had with any medicines
• If you think you may be pregnant
• If you are breastfeeding
• Pharmacy name(s) and phone number(s)

What You Should Know About Your Medicine

• The name
• The dose
• When to take it
• Why you take it
• How long you will take it (days, weeks, for the rest of your life)
• What to do if you miss a dose
• Who to call if you have questions
• What foods, drinks, or other medicines you need to avoid while you are on the medicine
• If you should limit or reduce certain activities
• How much medicine you have left and whether you can get refills

About Side Effects

A side effect is a reaction you may have to a medicine. Although it may be unpleasant, it does not always mean you are allergic to the medicine. You should make sure you know when and whom to call if you have any unpleasant side effects.

Be Responsible When Using Your Medicines

• Ask for written instructions about your medicines
• If you do not understand what you were told, ask them to explain it to you another way
• Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have more questions
• Do not place more than one kind of medicine in the same bottle
• Do not stop taking any medicine unless your doctor tells you to
• Ask the pharmacist for easy-to-open bottles if needed
• Keep all medicines in a safe place; keep them out of reach of children
• Do not take anyone else’s medicine
• Keep a list of your medicines; give this list to emergency personnel
• Take your list and medicine bottles with you when you visit your doctor or go to the hospital

If you have any questions about your medicines, talk to your doctor, nurse,
or pharmacist.