Modern Media Mom

Be Smarter about Your Medications: iGuard.org

Posted on 08. Sep, 2009 by [modern media mom] in Applications/Software, Latest News, Links & Resources, Personal Growth, Productivity, Resources

Most of us take some sort of medication. Whether it is over the counter (OTC) or prescription or a combination of both, it is important to understand the risks associated with each, as well as the potential for interference to occur from other meds we may be taking along with them.

As consumers, we are responsible for trying to be as informed as possible. If you were to purchase a new car, you would go to the dealership having done some research already. Our health should be no different. Especially when it comes to putting chemicals into our bodies.

Pharmasicts and doctors are willing to speak with us on these topics, but it helps to have other resources available. That’s why iGuard.org should be bookmarked by anyone who wants to stay informed on medications.

iGuard.org is a healthcare service that helps monitor the safety of your medications (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, nutritional supplements and herbal extracts).

iGuard.org helps you stay safer by:

1. Routinely checking the safety of your medications, screening for drug-drug and drug-disease interactions.
2. Alerting you and your doctor (optional) as important safety information arises for your medications.
3. Providing an easily accessible summary of your medications and conditions that you can share with your healthcare team.
4. Helping you learn and share treatment satisfaction and side effect information within our patient community.

Additionally, you will see any warnings associated with the medication, along with some basic facts and figures:

The profile is quick and simple to fill out. Just be sure to have all of your medication names gathered so that you can have a complete profile.

The risk ratings are used to rate side effects of any medications, from low to high risk. Beside each medication you will see one of these ratings:

If you are uncertain about the medication and what it is used to treat, there are charts with each medication profile that tracks the number of people taking the medication and the reasons they are taking it:

If any of the medications your are taking interfere with each other, you will be alerted. Email alerts are sent to you to help you keep track of the medications and any issues that are found with any of them. Additionally, if a medicine is recalled, you will be notified.

Reactions to medications, though rare, can happen. You want to be sure to take every precaution possible and stay informed. While iGuard doesn’t replace your doctor’s advice, it is another part of being well-informed.

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Tags: featured, health, iGuard, medical, medications, wellness