Taking your medicines after discharge from hospital

Pharmacy

This information gives advice on managing your medicines when you are at home and explains how to get help if you need this.

Your medicines have been prescribed for your use only.

Please do not share them with anyone, or take a medicine prescribed for someone else.

They may seem similar, but have different ingredients, be a different dosage and so be dangerous to use.

Before you are discharged, a Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician, Doctor or Nurse on the ward will discuss with you the medicines that you will need to take at home.

A supply of medicines will be provided to last you until the course is finished, or for 2 weeks if this is a long-term medicine that you need to continue.

In your Discharge Summary to your GP, information on the medicines that you need and how you are to take these will be included. It lists the medicines that you will need to continue once you are at home.

If you have some old medicines at home and you are unsure about these, always check if you still need to take them before leaving hospital, or with your GP or Practice Nurse once you are home.

How to take your medicines safely

Every medicine has a label containing your name, the name and dose of the medicine and how often to take this. If the medicine needs to be taken with or without food, or has any other special instructions e.g. may cause drowsiness, this will also be on the label.

With each medicine, there is a Patient Information Leaflet inside the box or packet.

This states the purpose of the medicine i.e. what conditions it is used to treat, with an explanation of the dosage and how to take the medicine. Any side effects that may occur and how often these have been noted to happen in other patients. If a medicine cannot be taken with a particular food e.g. grapefruit, or with another medicine because of a possible contraindication (something which means it may have a more negative effect or not work as well for you), that will also be described in the medicines patient information leaflet.

If a dose of the medicine is missed, too much is taken or too soon, advice on what to do next to stay safe is also contained in this leaflet.

There is a lot of information in the leaflet, but if this does not answer your questions please ask on the ward. Any queries after you are home, ask your GP, Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician at the Practice, or local Pharmacy.

Getting more supplies of your medicines

A copy of your discharge summary (letter) will be emailed to your GP. The information in the summary will be added to your GP’s records and any prescriptions needed, can be supplied before your medicines run out.

There is a second copy of this summary information for you to take home. It is also useful for checking what medicines you need to take.

Storing your medicines safely

Always keep your medicines out of reach of children or vulnerable adults. Medicines need to be kept cool and in the dark - not stored in a warm or sunny area. If a medicine needs to be kept in the fridge, this will be stated on the label. Keeping the medicine and patient information leaflet for each medicine in its original box or container, ensures that the full instructions are always available for you.

What do I need to know about side effects?

Side effects are unwanted symptoms after you have taken a medicine. The patient information leaflet, describes any possible symptoms that you may experience and how commonly these can happen.

If you are unsure whether a symptom is related to your medicine, please seek advice from your GP or local Pharmacist. Only stop taking a medicine, if you are advised to do so by a doctor or other health professional. There can be health consequences from stopping a medicine suddenly, or if you do not have an alternative medicine prescribed for you to take instead.

Coming back to the hospital – in an emergency or for a planned admission

If you need to come back in to the hospital at any time, please bring all of your medicines with you in their original boxes or containers. Any creams, inhalers, insulin administration equipment, or other regularly prescribed items should also be brought in with you. This is important so that the doctors and nurses know what medicines you need prescribing and so that you will have a supply of everything required straight away.

If you forget anything, it is very helpful if a relative or carer can bring these items to the ward for you as soon as possible.

Coming back to the hospital – for an outpatient’s appointment

Please bring an up to date list of your medicines, or a copy of your GP list of repeat prescription items.

How can I get support with my medicines after I leave hospital?

The instruction label on each of your take home medicines, contains a telephone number for this Hospital’s Pharmacy Department. This will connect you to our ‘Medicines Information Line’ on 01709 424126.

Once you are at home, your local Pharmacy can also provide you with advice and support on taking your medicines and answer any questions that you have.

Your GP Practice Pharmacist may review your medicines use; this can be helpful if your medicines have changed recently. Otherwise, these reviews happen once per year. If you have any new medicines, the Pharmacist who usually dispenses your prescriptions (at your local Pharmacy), will be able to talk to you about these and you can find out more on how they act to manage your health condition. If you are having any problems taking a medicine, your local Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician there can help and advise you.

Who can I speak to about any queries or concerns after I have left the hospital?

You can call the Hospital Medicines Information Line 01709 424126. Your local Pharmacist can give advice, answer questions or help with any concerns about medicines prescribed by the hospital or your GP. Alternatively, your GP or Practice Nurse can assist you.