Use a notebook, spreadsheet, or phone note with nine columns: product name, strength or dose, form, amount taken, timing, reason, prescriber, pharmacy, and status. “Form” means details such as tablet, liquid, patch, injection, or inhaler. Under timing, record ordinary language from the label, such as morning, bedtime, weekly, or as needed. If you know the last time you took it, add that in a notes column.
Treat nonprescription products as medications for this purpose. Include pain relievers, sleep products, cold remedies, antacids, vitamins, herbal products, workout supplements, nicotine products, and anything borrowed or obtained outside a current prescription. Also list recently stopped products and the approximate last-use date. Do not restart, stop, or change anything based on this worksheet. A qualified professional should address medication decisions with you, especially when a detail is uncertain or symptoms are changing.
- Copy each name and strength directly from its label when possible.
- Record the amount taken and usual time, but write “unknown” rather than estimating.
- Identify the prescriber and pharmacy, including city if multiple locations share a nameio. typos?