Medication List

A medication list is a record that organizes the names, dosages, and administration times of not only prescription drugs but also over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, supplements, health functional foods, and other Korean herbal medicines.

If you do not know the name of a medication, you may prepare photos of the pharmacy envelope or product label. Please also report medications recently discontinued and products newly started.

What items should be included in the list?

Write down the product name, ingredient name, single dose, daily frequency and actual administration time, reason for taking it, and the start date. Include not only prescription drugs but also OTC drugs purchased at a pharmacy, vitamins, health functional foods, occasionally taken painkillers or allergy medications, and other Korean herbal medicines. It is also helpful to note drug allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, and significant underlying medical conditions in the same document.

When should I update it?

Update the list whenever you start a new medication, change the dosage, or stop taking a medication. Instead of submitting an old prescription list, verify what you are actually taking now. Taking photos of pharmacy envelopes and labels on your phone and showing the same list during medical evaluations, tests, or pharmacy visits can reduce omissions.

Why is a complete list necessary even for Korean herbal medicine consultations?

This is because not all interactions can be avoided simply by adjusting the dosing interval, and the same ingredients may overlap across multiple products. The FDA states that an up-to-date list including prescription drugs, OTC drugs, vitamins, and supplements helps reduce medication errors and unwanted interactions.

• FDA: How to Create and Maintain a List of Your Medications