What is a thorough medication evaluation? Would you benefit from one? Don’t other people already
evaluate your medications on a regular basis? Do you worry about hurting someone’s feelings if there is a difference of opinion about your medication regimen?

You likely have several different healthcare providers – your primary care doctor, any nurse practitioners or physician assistants in that office, your specialist doctor(s), your local pharmacist, and maybe a chiropractor, physical therapist dietician, and others. Surely between all of them someone is providing you with a very thorough evaluation of your medications?

Do you take anything for a cold? Or a stomachache? Or to help you sleep? Or for pain?

Do you tell your healthcare providers about these things you take only once in awhile?

Do you take vitamins or supplements or herbal therapies that you select for yourself? Do you tell your healthcare providers about these?

Do you always take your medications at the same time every day? What do you do when you forget to take them? Do you take some of them only when you feel like you need them? Have you ever stopped taking a medication without telling your providers?

A thorough medication evaluation will cover all of these things. Our research has shown that in 98% of visits there is at least one thing that you didn’t know about your medication that you really should know.

As a clinical pharmacist, I am looking at all of your prescribed medications and other substances you take to assure none of these nine problems exist:

• Each dose is not too high (You have more side effects than needed or even have toxicity.)
• Each dose is not too low (You take it but it doesn’t work for you.)
• All conditions that should be treated with a medication are being treated with the best medication(s) based on current medical studies.
• Each medication you take is actually necessary. (Sometimes there are medications that have been on your list for a long time but no one remembers why.)
• No medications interact with each other making your health worse. Also, your diet and supplements don’t interact with your other medications or each other.
• You are able to obtain and take each prescribed medication. (Sometimes pills are too big, inhalers are hard to use, eye drops are hard to get into the eye, or medications are too expensive or not covered by insurance.)
• None of your medications for one condition make another condition worse.
• You are able to safely take all of your medications. Allergies and medication intolerances will be reviewed and clarified for your healthcare team.
• You are taking each medication at the optimal time in relation to food, other medications, and potential side effects.

Clinical pharmacists have extensive training specific to all aspects of medications and how they work., more than any other health professional. Often, having a clinical pharmacist working with the rest of your providers will further assure that all of your medication use is necessary, safe, and effective.

For more information about a thorough medication assessment, contact www.medsmash.com.

Biblical Application

Just like medication intended for good can sometimes actually cause harm, are there elements of our spiritual lives that can be more harmful than good?

There are many interpretations of the content of the Bible. There are many preachers and teachers and blogs and radio programs and television programs and articles written.

Are they all true and accurate?

How do you determine what to believe and what to implement in your life?

Jesus, Paul, John, and others warned us about false teachers and the importance of discernment. Well, that sounds good, but how do you actually do it?

First, here is what the Bible says.

1 John 4:1 (MSG)

My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.

John 7:24 ESV

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.

Proverbs 2:1-5 ESV

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Discernment might sound difficult or only for those with advanced theological training, but the Bible encourages us to pray about it. When you hear or read something that you’re not sure about, pray and ask God to guide you. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is with us at all times.

Matthew 28:20 ESV

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Joshua 1:9 ESV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

(And there are several more such verses throughout the Old and New Testament).

Let God lead you with discernment and love.

Blessings,

Michelle