Free printable medication list

Every doctor visit, pharmacy counter and hospital admission starts with the same question: "What medicines are you taking?" A written list answers it the same way every time, whoever is asked. The National Institute on Aging, the FDA and MedlinePlus all suggest keeping one, and this is a large-print version to print at home.

What's in the free file

• One page for the current list, with room for seven medicines. Each medicine gets two lines, numbered 1 to 7.
• Eight boxes for each medicine: the medication name, strength, dose and when to take it on the first line; what it is for, who prescribed it, the pharmacy and the date it was started on the second.
• Lines at the top for the person's name, date of birth, allergies, and the date the list was updated.
• Large print. The title is 26 point, the lines at the top 18 point and the column headings 16 point bold.
• More than seven medicines? Print a second copy and write "Page 2" at the top.
• Fill-in fields. Type into every line before you print, in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, or print it blank and write by hand.
• A blank form only: no drug names, no doses and no medical information are printed on it.
• Sizes: US Letter and A4, as two files.

What goes on a medication list?

The National Institute on Aging lists the same core details: the name of each medicine or supplement, the amount, the times, the doctor who prescribed it and the reason. The FDA's own form, My Medicine Record, also asks what each medicine looks like (color, shape, size and markings), which is worth a word in the name box if pills are easy to mix up.

What counts as a medicine?

More than the pills from the pharmacy. The FDA's form asks for every prescription medicine (samples too), every over-the-counter medicine and every dietary supplement, including ones used only some of the time. The NIA and MedlinePlus also say to include over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements.

• Prescription medicines, including samples from the doctor's office.
• Over-the-counter medicines. The FDA's form names pain relievers, allergy, heartburn and cold medicines, laxatives and sleeping pills.
• Vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements.
• Medicines that are not pills. The FDA's form lists liquids, injections, creams, lotions and eye or ear drops among the forms a medicine can take.

If a medicine is taken only "as needed", list it too, with "as needed" in the When to take it box.

How to fill in the list

1. Gather everything in one place. Bring every bottle, box, inhaler and tube to the kitchen table, including the ones in the bathroom cabinet and the handbag.
2. Copy each label carefully, one medicine per row, exactly as it is spelled on the label.
3. Fill in the top lines: name, date of birth, allergies (or "none known"), and today's date next to Updated.
4. Add the reason for each one in plain words. If nobody knows, write a question mark and ask at the next appointment or at the pharmacy counter.
5. Ask the pharmacist to look it over. MedlinePlus suggests reviewing the list with your providers and pharmacists.
6. Make copies: one for home, one for a wallet or purse, one for the family member who goes to appointments.

When should the list be updated?

The FDA's form gives three moments to review and update it:

• When a medicine or supplement starts or stops.
• When anything changes, such as the dose or the times.
• After a visit to a doctor, a pharmacist or another health professional.

Each time, change the date next to Updated. When the page gets crowded with crossings out, start a clean copy and throw the old ones away, so only the current version is in use.

Where should copies of the list go?

• At home, somewhere everyone who helps knows to look. The National Institute on Aging suggests one copy at home and one in a wallet or purse.
• In the wallet or purse of the person who takes the medicines.
• With a friend or family member. The FDA's form suggests giving a copy to a friend or loved one.
• To every appointment. The NIA suggests showing the list to all the person's health care providers, dentists included.
• To the pharmacy, especially if the person uses more than one. The NIA suggests sharing the list with the pharmacist at each one.
• In the hospital bag. MedlinePlus suggests bringing the list to a hospital stay.

A medication list or a medication log?

A list says what a person takes. A log records each dose as it is taken: a line for each medicine at each time of day, and a box for each day of the week to tick or initial. When several people share the care, some families keep both: the list stays the same until something changes, and the log is a new page each week. Our guide to keeping a daily medication log shows how to set one up from the list, and has a free one-week log to print.

Our full Large-Print Medication List and Log adds lines 8 to 14 of the list, a page for medications that have been stopped, a page for vitamins, supplements and medicines bought without a prescription, a daily medication log to tick (a week starting Monday or Sunday), and folding wallet cards.

What this list is not

It is a blank form for the family's own record. It does not say what to take, how much, or what mixes with what: questions about any medicine belong with the person's doctor or pharmacist. A medication list is one of the printable forms for family caregivers that families keep together, next to a large-print blood pressure log.

Frequently asked questions

What should be on a medication list?

Each medicine's name, strength, dose, when to take it, what it is for, who prescribed it, the pharmacy and the date it was started, plus the person's name, date of birth, allergies and the date the list was updated. The National Institute on Aging lists the name, the amount, the times, the prescriber and the reason.

Should vitamins and supplements go on a medication list?

Yes. The FDA, the National Institute on Aging and MedlinePlus all say to include over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and dietary supplements. The FDA's form adds: even ones used only some of the time.

How often should a medication list be updated?

Whenever a medicine starts, stops or changes, and after every visit to a doctor or pharmacist, as the FDA's medicine record suggests. Change the date each time so everyone can see which copy is current.

Where should I keep a medication list?

Keep one copy at home and one in a wallet or purse, as the National Institute on Aging suggests, give one to a family member, and take one to every appointment and to the hospital.

Is there a free medication list template?

Yes. Doctor Carissa's free large-print medication list is a PDF in US Letter and A4, sent by email, with fill-in fields. The FDA publishes a free form called My Medicine Record, and the National Institute on Aging has a free worksheet for tracking medications.