Alcohol, Food and Drug Interactions

What you eat and drink may affect the way your medicines work. Some foods interfere with the body's ability to absorb medications into the blood stream. On the other hand, some prescription medications should be taken with food to prevent stomach irritation.  Some combinations may create new symptoms.

Be sure to ask your doctor about the effects of food on your prescribed medication, especially whenever you are given a new prescription.

Mind Your Meds: How do you track your Rx usage?

It     It is estimated that more than 90 percent of people 65 or older use at least 1 medication per week. More than 40 percent of people in this age range use 5 or more different prescriptions per week. That's a lot of medications to keep track of!  To ensure their safe use, here's a couple of tips to stay organized:

1    Create a chart that outlines your medications, including when and how much to take. You should also include any non-prescription vitamins, supplements and prescription creams that you are using. Bring this chart with you whenever you see your doctor, visit an emergency room or are admitted to the hospital.

      You can create your own chart or you can pick up a complimentary wallet-size medication record/ID card at Mutsko Insurance Services, LLC,  6966 Spinach Drive, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

2.  Check into using e-tools and apps offered for free on your iPad or smart phone to help you track your medication usage. Two free apps that have good reviews are:

Med Helper  –  Pill Reminder and Medication Tracker, and

Pill Alert  –  Medication, Prescription Reminder and Tracker, and Tracker.

Are you paying too much for your prescriptions?

You probably already know that drug prices can vary widely. In fact, the cost of a prescription may differ by more than $100 between two pharmacies across the street from each other!

But, there's a very easy way to compare prices for all FDA-approved prescription drugs. 

It's a website called GoodRx.   

GoodRx will show you prices, coupons, discounts and saving tips for your prescriptions at pharmacies near you.  Simple visit www.goodrx.com and start saving.

Do you know all you should about Medicare?

It's one of the most important decisions you will make affecting your health care. You want to get this one RIGHT.

You'll be better prepared to make the right choices once you attend Getting Started with Medicare, a 90 minute interactive class that covers all the basics on Medicare. It is especially helpful for people turning 65, those going on Medicare for the first time or anyone who want to brush up on the most current Medicare information. 

Plan now to attend. For a complete list of upcoming seminars, please visit our website at www.mutskoinsurance.com.   

Preregistration is required. Please register by calling the phone number listed for the class you wish to attend. These events are only for educational purposes and no plan specific benefits or details will be shared. Some venues charge a nominal fee. 

Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Lakeland Community College
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
7700 Clock Tower Drive, Kirtland, OH 44094
440-525-7116

Thursday, August 7, 2014
Mentor Library
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
8215 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060
440-255-8811

Monday, August 18, 2014
Morley Library
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
184 Phelps St., Painesville, OH 44077,  Meeting Room B
440-255-5700