The little red one in the morning and the big white one in the afternoon?

With all the possible combinations of pills in the modern medicine cabinet, caution should be the rule, according to Janel Moore, R.N., M.S.N., Wise and Well Program coordinator.

A mixup in dosage or combining the wrong medications can make them less effective, cause unexpected side effects or make a particular drug more potent, she said. "Older adults should pay particular attention because they are more likely to be taking multiple medications — especially if they have chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes."

According to the Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource, the average older adult uses between two and six prescription medications and between one and three over-the-counter medications regularly.

Changes associated with aging may also cause the body to process medicines more slowly, which allows more time for foods, beverages or drugs to interact with each other.

"These interactions and complications can be harmful," Moore stressed.

That’s why a team of pharmacists have been visiting senior centers throughout San Mateo County to help older adults take charge of their medication regimes.

"Medication management is a part of the Senior Focus Wise and Well Program which provides health education to primarily low-income, culturally diverse communities in the county," Moore said.

In collaboration with the San Mateo County Public Health Division, pharmacists provide individual 15-minute consultations — in Chinese, Spanish and English — at the five Wise and Well sites as a special offering during the year.

Participants bring all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements and herbal remedies to the appointment.

"The pharmacists make sure they know why they are taking each one, check for possible interactions and discuss side effects and contraindications," Moore said.

Participants are then advised to see their doctor about any medication that causes concern.

"People feel empowered by the information they receive, making it easier to talk to their doctors and solve any possible problems," Moore said.

Another excellent way for people to keep track of medications and share the information with doctors, specialists and pharmacists, is to fill out and carry a medication card.

Available in Spanish and English, the card fits right in a wallet and holds key medical information such as doctor and pharmacist’s name and number, immunizations, allergies and any conditions currently being treated.

The flip side is for listing medication names, doses and how often they are taken.

"The card organizes critical information for better communication with health care providers or paramedics in case of emergency," Moore said.

Call 650-696-7663 for a complete calendar of Wise and Well events.