A good medication list template has a header with your name, allergies, emergency contact and the date, then one row per medicine: brand and generic name, strength, what it is for, and when, how and how much you take. Include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, and update it every time something changes.
The FDA says doctors, labs and pharmacies may ask for your current list. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) adds that if you are admitted to a hospital, the team uses your list to decide whether each medicine should be continued. Below is a template you can copy, plus how to fill it in and keep it current.
Your full name and date of birth
Allergies, and what happens when you react
Your medical conditions
An emergency contact and their phone number
The date you made or last updated the list
Name: both the brand and the generic name, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen)
Strength: for example, 20 mg
What it's for: in plain words, like "blood pressure"
How to take it: when, how and how much, plus special instructions such as "take with food"
Prescriber: who prescribed it, if anyone
Pharmacy: where you fill it
The start date
Side effects to watch for, and any past reactions
What to do if you miss a dose, as your pharmacist or doctor explained it
Phone numbers for your doctors and pharmacy
It is easy to forget things you don't think of as medicine. AHRQ, the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, says to include vitamins, herbals, supplements, cold or cough medicines, aspirin, pain relievers, allergy medicines, antacids, laxatives and diet pills. ISMP adds eye and ear drops, ointments and creams, patches and inhalers.
AHRQ's version sorts medicines into three groups: ones you take every day, ones you take regularly but not daily, and ones you take only when needed. Copy this into a notes app or document and fill it in, one line per medicine.
About me
Name and date of birth:
Allergies and reactions:
Medical conditions:
Emergency contact and phone:
Doctors and phone numbers:
Pharmacy and phone:
Last updated:
Medicines I take every day
Name (brand and generic) | Strength | What it's for | Morning | Noon | Evening | Bedtime | Special instructions | Prescriber
Medicines I take regularly, but not every day
Name | Strength | What it's for | Which days and times | Special instructions | Prescriber
Medicines I take only when needed
Name | Strength | What it's for | When, how and how much | Prescriber
In the time-of-day spots, write the amount you take, such as "half a pill" in the morning and "1 pill" in the evening. Then you can read down a column to see everything due at that time. If you prefer paper, AHRQ offers a free My Medicines List in Word and PDF, and the FDA has a printable My Medicines form.
Gather every medicine you use, prescription and non-prescription, including any in your bag or car.
Sort them into the three groups above.
Copy details from the label or package insert, not from memory.
Write both the brand and generic names.
Add special instructions, like taking it with food or staying upright afterward.
Ask your pharmacist to look over the finished list.
Update the list every time you start, stop or change a medicine, including a new dose. AHRQ says to change the date at the top, print the new version and throw out the old one, so you always have the most current copy. The FDA recommends reviewing and updating it often.
On you. The FDA suggests a photo on your phone, an app, or a paper copy kept with your health insurance card.
At home. AHRQ suggests the fridge or next to your medicines.
On the move. Take it when you travel and if you go to the hospital.
With someone you trust. The FDA suggests sharing it with a relative, friend or caregiver, especially anyone who comes to appointments with you or might speak for you in an emergency.
Bring the list to every visit. ISMP says it helps your providers check that your medicines are safe to take together and can help show whether a new problem might be caused by a medicine. The FDA suggests asking these questions about each medicine:
What is the medicine for?
Are there any side effects or special warnings?
What other medicines or foods should I avoid?
If you manage medicines for a parent, our medication checklist for aging parents covers organizers, refills and reviews.
You notice a new symptom after starting or changing a medicine.
Two doctors have prescribed medicines that seem to do the same job.
You want to start a vitamin, supplement or herbal product.
You are not sure why something is on your list.
You want to stop a medicine. Ask first rather than stopping on your own.
This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.
Your name, allergies, conditions, emergency contact and the date, then each medicine's name, strength, purpose and instructions. Include over-the-counter products, vitamins and supplements.
Yes. AHRQ offers a free My Medicines List in Word and PDF, and the FDA has a fill-out-and-print My Medicines form. A notes app works too.
Every time you start, stop or change a medicine. Date each version and throw out old copies.
Yes. The FDA, AHRQ and ISMP all say to include them, so your care team sees the full picture.
DoseBeacon: Pill Reminder keeps one medication list for prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, and it can scan a pharmacy label to create a draft entry with on-device text recognition that you review before reminders turn on. It also makes 7-, 30- or 90-day PDF reports for doctor visits and a printable emergency medication card with allergies, conditions and contacts. It is free with an optional Family subscription, has no ads, and keeps your data on your device unless you create or join a Care Circle.
Get DoseBeacon free on the App Store