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Dr. Arteaga cautions that ultimately, the medications you take should always be ones that your doctor feels are best for you. However, a talk with your doctor about the cost of treatment and your ability to pay may result in substantial savings as well as a better health outcome.

(San Bernardino, Calif.) What if your doctor prescribes a new medicine that reacts badly with a prescription you received from a recent emergency room visit, it can happen, sometimes with disastrous results.  How can you prevent this?

“Bring all of your prescriptions with you to every doctor visit, especially those you have given by another doctor or emergency room visit” said Dr. Albert A. Arteaga, founder and president of LaSalle Medical Associates.

Informing your doctor of your current prescriptions helps to determine what medications will work best with your current treatment. It also can ensure that your doctor knows every medication you are taking and that each patient gets the best care possible for the recommended treatment.

“If you take a prescription regularly for an ongoing condition, your physician needs to be aware of it,” said Dr. Arteaga.

Dr. Arteaga encourages every patient to make their physician aware of all prescription and over-the-counter medications they are taking, as well as any vitamins and herbal supplements.

Medications and their containers come in different shapes, sizes and contents. Make sure your doctor knows about all of medications you are taking.

By providing this vital information, your doctor is able to determine if you are taking any medications you no longer need or taking more than one drug to treat the same condition.  Your doctor will also be able to tell if the reason for your visit is a side effect of your current medication and reduce the risk for any future adverse drug interaction.

Dr. Arteaga also points out that when you bring your prescriptions to your scheduled doctor visit, you may be able to minimize your out-of-pocket costs as well. In fact, there may be a less expensive variety of the same medication.

“Remember, newer isn’t always better,” said Dr. Arteaga. ”Some older drugs may work just as well for you and cost you a lot less.”

Dr. Arteaga cautions that ultimately, the medications you take should always be ones that your doctor feels are best for you.  However, a talk with your doctor about the cost of treatment and your ability to pay may result in substantial savings as well as a better health outcome.

For more an appointment or more information call LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc. at (909) 890-0407.

About LaSalle Medical Associates

LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults, and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and they also accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). LaSalle’s clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 16455 Main St. in Hesperia and 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino.

LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality care to more than 245,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Tulare Counties.

LaSalle’s IPA members in the Inland Empire include: LaSalle Medical Associates, Arrowhead Orthopedics, Arther Medical Group, Rancho Medical Group, Rancho Paseo Medical Group, Alessandro Medical Group Banning Medical Group, and San Bernardino Urological Associates. Hospital affiliations include: Rancho Springs Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernadine Medical Center, Mountains Community Hospital, Redland Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Medical Center, Parkview Community Hospital.

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