Communicate with the patient’s other physicians about all the medications that are being prescribed to him and about signs, symptoms, and responses to the medications.
Educate yourself by participating in continuing education programs, discussions with colleagues, and through relevant literature. Review drug manufacturer alerts.
Patient education. Educate patients about medication instructions, including the dosage and frequency, ways to identify side effects, and what to do in the event of side effects or a bad reaction. Get informed consent.
Be aware of and inform the patient about potentially lethal side effects of misusing or abusing certain medications. Address the use of street drugs and how they interact with prescription medications; make appropriate treatment assessments and referrals for addiction and dependence issues.
Documentation. Keep thorough records of medications prescribed: dosage, amount, directions for taking them, and other instructions to the patient. Document results of laboratory testing and any decisions you make based on medication serum levels.
When using polypharmacy that increases the risk of adverse interactions, document a clear rationale in patients’ charts.