Medication Review: What It Is and Why It Saves Lives

When you take multiple medications, a medication review, a systematic evaluation of all the drugs a person is taking to spot risks, overlaps, and unnecessary prescriptions. Also known as drug reconciliation, it’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity for anyone on three or more prescriptions. Think of it like checking your car’s oil, brakes, and tires before a long trip. If you’re on blood thinners, diabetes meds, or heart drugs, a single interaction can land you in the hospital. And it’s not rare—studies show over 40% of seniors on multiple drugs have at least one potentially dangerous overlap.

A medication review, a systematic evaluation of all the drugs a person is taking to spot risks, overlaps, and unnecessary prescriptions. Also known as drug reconciliation, it’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity for anyone on three or more prescriptions. isn’t just about checking what’s in your bottle. It looks at drug interactions, how two or more medications affect each other’s action in the body, sometimes causing harm or reducing effectiveness, like when kava messes with liver enzymes or methadone teams up with other QT-prolonging drugs. It also checks medication adherence, how consistently a patient takes their drugs as prescribed, which directly impacts treatment success. Missed doses, wrong timing, or stopping early because of side effects? That’s part of the review too. And then there’s the pharmacy consultation, a face-to-face or phone discussion with a pharmacist to clarify instructions, warn about side effects, or adjust dosing. Most people never ask, but a good pharmacist will catch what a rushed doctor might miss.

Real-world examples? A 72-year-old on warfarin, meclizine, and a sleep aid might be at risk for falls because all three cause dizziness. A diabetic on canagliflozin might need foot checks every month—not because they’re paranoid, but because the drug raises amputation risk. Or someone buying cheap Tylenol online without knowing if it’s real. These aren’t edge cases. They’re daily realities. That’s why the posts here cover everything: how to read your prescription label, why generics are safe (or when they’re not), how to use reminder apps, and what to ask your doctor before you leave the office. You won’t find fluff. Just straight talk on what works, what doesn’t, and how to stay safe while taking what you need.