TIPS ON TAKING YOUR MEDICATIONS

Nearly half of all medicines are not taken regularly as prescribed. There are many reasons for this: forgetfulness, complicated dosing schedules, side effects, costs, and many more. Whatever the reason, here are some tips to help you take your medications as prescribed.

Understand what you are taking and why. Ask your doctor or pharmacist:

• What each medication is for and more specifically how each medication helps.
• Any potential side effects.
• What you should do if you do experience side effects.
• How your medicine works with your other medications and the foods you eat. Some medications work best if you take them with food, while others work best if you take them before or after a meal or at bedtime.
• What to do if you miss a dose of medicine. It is important that you keep your doctor informed of how the medicine is working for you.

Remember to take your medicine. Use daily reminders:

• Try to time taking your medicine around activities that you do daily such as setting your alarm clock, brushing your teeth, eating your meals, going to work, etc.. If you associate taking your medication with a daily habit, you are more likely to remember it.
• Place your medication or a reminder to take your medication where you are likely to come face to face with it.
• Set your watch alarm to go off when it’s time to take your medicine.
• Place a daily reminder card in a visible place.
• Have a family member or a friend remind you.
• Use a medication box that will hold your entire day’s supply of medicine. By glancing at the medication box, you should be able to quickly know if you have missed any doses.
• Keep a log. Note date and time each medication was taken or mark medications taken on a calendar.
• It is also extremely important to maintain an adequate supply of your medications. When refilling your prescriptions, mark on your calendar the next due date at least one week in advance. This will prevent you from running out of your prescriptions.

When traveling, keep in mind:

• Don’t forget to pack your medications. Put a reminder note on your luggage ahead of time.
• Pack your medications and an extra copy of your prescriptions in carry-on luggage in case your luggage is lost.