New for Consumers

Release Date: January 2003

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEDICATIONS

When you're sick, the thing you want most is to take a pill so that your symptoms go away. But taking medications is often more complicated than that-should you take the medication on an empty or full stomach? Will your medicine interact with any other foods or drugs?

Get the facts on getting the most out of your medications with a new free package of publications from the Federal Citizen Information Center and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

  • First, learn the basics about the medications you are taking-My Medicines from FDA's Office of Women's Health features medicine safety tips and facts about the important information contained on your medication's label. Find out which questions to ask your doctor and pharmacist about your medications and how to avoid potential problems and side effects.
  • Learn about using over-the-counter (OTC) medications safely with Over-the-Counter Medicines: What's Right For You? and The New Over-the-Counter Medicine Label . . . Take a Look! both from the FDA and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. Find out about safely storing your medications, taking medications while pregnant, giving OTC medicines to children and protecting yourself against tampering. Get the most out of the information included on your OTC medicine's label-learn how to look for warnings, expiration dates and more.
  • Protect your family with Drug Interactions: What You Should Know from the FDA, the Council on Family Health and the National Consumers League. Learn about possible side effects from drug interactions with other drugs, food and beverages, and certain medical conditions. It also features a useful chart listing different categories of medications and possible interactions.
  • Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide features a list of dos and don'ts to help you avoid fraudulent or questionable websites when ordering your medication online.

Learn more with the "Understanding Your Medications" package. There are three easy ways to get your free publications:

  • Call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO. That's 1 (888) 878-3256, weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and ask for the "Understanding Your Medications" package.
  • Send your name and address to Understanding Your Medications, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.
  • Visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov and read or print out these and hundreds of federal publications for free.

Get even more information and take advantage of federal online resources at www.FirstGov.gov-your official front door to millions of federal and state government websites.

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MAKING A WILL

It's important to plan ahead and make sure your loved ones are provided for after your death. If you don't, the court will decide what will happen to your money and possessions. Get the basics on preparing a will with Making a Will from the MetLife Consumer Education Center, the American Bar Association, and the Legal Services Corporation. Find out what to include, how to keep your will current, where to keep it for safety as well as for ease of access, and more. For your copy, please call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO, that's 1(888) 878-3256 and ask for Item 575K. Or send your name and address to the Federal Citizen Information Center, Dept. 575K, Pueblo, CO 81009. And visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov to read or print out this and hundreds of other FCIC publications for free.

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GETTING CREDIT WHEN YOU'RE OVER 62

It may be difficult to get credit as you get older, especially if you don't have a credit history in your name. Get the facts on how to open a credit account with Getting Credit When You're Over 62 from the Federal Trade Commission. Find out about applying for credit, checking your credit history, establishing a credit record, and what to do if you're denied credit. This publication costs 50¢. For your copy, call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO, that's 1(888) 878-3256 and ask for Item 314K. Have your credit card handy. Or send your name, address and a check or money order for 50¢ to the Federal Citizen Information Center, Dept. 314K, Pueblo, CO 81009. And visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov to read or print out this and hundreds of other FCIC publications for free.

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  • Please check with Shantae Goodloe at (202) 501-1794 or by e-mail shantae.goodloe@gsa.gov if you plan to use this release after May 1, 2003.
  • If you would like to receive these releases by e-mail send a request to shantae.goodloe@gsa.gov or call (202) 501-1794.

GSA # 2573

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