While you probably haven’t used a brown bag since you brought lunch to school, it’s time to pack one again. This time, fill your bag with all your medicines and take it to your next doctor appointment.

A brown-bag checkup at least every year helps your doctors monitor your medicines. Be certain to include vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter products.

Drugs can interact with one another or with foods or beverages you consume, causing side effects. And treatments for one ailment may make another health problem worse or prevent another medication from working properly.

After reviewing all your medicines, your doctor can adjust your treatment plan to help strike the right balance. Be sure to tell your doctor whether you experience problems such as nausea or dizziness from any of your medications.

Also let your doctor know if you have trouble taking your medicine as directed. He or she might be able to simplify your plan—for example, having you take one pill daily instead of four.

Find Drug Info Online
Our online drug reference tool lets you find out about the medicines you take. Go to www.paramounthealthcare.com and click on “Better Health for Life,” “Library,” and then “Drug Reference.”