Written and medically reviewed by Dorcas Morak, Pharm.D
October 21 is National Check Your Meds Day, an annual reminder to review every prescription, over-the-counter medication, vitamin, and dietary supplement you take. Fall is an ideal time for a medication checkup before flu season, annual insurance enrollment, and the start of a new plan year. Asking the right questions can help identify medication problems, improve safety, and even lower your prescription costs.
Are Any of My Prescription Medications Expired?
Medications lose potency over time, and some—including liquid antibiotics, insulin, and nitroglycerin—may have shorter usable lives once opened, mixed, or exposed to improper storage. Ask your pharmacist to check expiration dates and explain how to safely dispose of any outdated medications.
Am I Taking the Correct Medication Dose?
Weight changes, kidney function, age, and new medical conditions can all affect the right dose for your medications. Periodic dose reviews are especially important for medications such as warfarin, insulin, and levothyroxine, where even small adjustments can make a difference. Ask whether you need routine monitoring or blood tests to help ensure your medications remain safe and effective.
Could My Prescription Medications or Supplements Be Interacting?
Combining prescription medications, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal supplements can increase the risk of potentially serious drug interactions. Bring a complete list of everything you take so your doctor or pharmacist can identify possible conflicts. Even common products, such as ibuprofen, St. John's wort, calcium supplements, or diphenhydramine, can interact with certain prescription medications.
Do I Still Need Every Prescription Medication I'm Taking?
Some medications that were appropriate months or years ago may no longer be necessary as your health, symptoms, or treatment goals change. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your entire medication list and determine whether any prescriptions can be safely discontinued, replaced, or have the dose adjusted. They can also confirm that you're taking each medication correctly and identify medications—such as zolpidem, alprazolam, opioid pain relievers, or muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine—that may increase your risk of dizziness, drowsiness, or falls, especially as you get older. Never stop taking a prescription medication without first consulting your healthcare provider.
Is There a Lower-Cost Generic or Therapeutic Alternative?
Many brand-name medications have FDA-approved generic equivalents that provide the same active ingredient and effectiveness at a much lower cost. Examples include Lipitor® (atorvastatin), Cozaar® (losartan), and Glucophage® (metformin). Your doctor or pharmacist can also determine whether another medication in the same therapeutic class may be an appropriate lower-cost option.
Which Fall Vaccines Should I Get This Year?
Fall is the ideal time to receive your annual influenza (flu) vaccine, and many adults may also be due for updated COVID-19 or RSV vaccines, depending on their age, health conditions, and current recommendations. Your pharmacist can review your immunization history and administer many recommended vaccines during the same visit.
How Should Prescription Medications Be Stored?
Heat, humidity, and light can reduce the stability and effectiveness of medications before their labeled expiration date. Some medications, including insulin, have specific storage requirements after opening. Bathroom medicine cabinets are often too warm and humid, so storing medications in a cool, dry location is usually a better choice.
How Do I Safely Dispose of Unused or Expired Medications?
Throwing medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet can create safety and environmental concerns. Ask your pharmacist about medication take-back programs, secure disposal options, or National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collection sites in your community.
Should I Review My Prescription Coverage Before the New Plan Year?
Many insurance plans update their formularies, pharmacy networks, and covered medications during annual enrollment periods. Reviewing your coverage in the fall can help prevent unexpected costs or interruptions in treatment when the new plan year begins. If your medications are changing tiers or no longer covered, ask your healthcare provider about alternative treatment options.
What Medication Side Effects Should I Watch For?
Some medication side effects appear weeks or even months after treatment begins. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any new symptoms—even those that seem unrelated—as they may recognize a medication-related problem. Ask which side effects require immediate medical attention and which ones can be monitored over time.
Save More on Prescription Medications with the RxLess® Assurance Plan
A medication review may uncover opportunities to switch to a lower-cost generic or compare prices at different pharmacies. Before filling your prescription, check prices with the RxLess® Assurance Plan to see whether another nearby pharmacy offers a lower price. The RxLess® Assurance Plan provides access to free digital coupons accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide and can help you save on FDA-approved prescription medications, including common generics such as atorvastatin, losartan, metformin, levothyroxine, and lisinopril.
Download the free RxLess® app to check prices on your medications and start saving whenever you fill a prescription at a participating pharmacy.
