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From the Fall 2005 Issue

Daily Living

Five Tips for Taking Your Medications

You get a prescription for a new medication. And of course you plan to follow the directions about how and when to take it. But what happens if you forget sometimes? Or what if you think the medication is not helping? Managing your pills can require time and attention. But it's very important that you take your pills as directed. That means taking the pills:

• In the right amount
• At the right time of day
• In the right way

In this article, LifeBeat Online offers tips to help you take medications correctly so you can feel your best.

Tip 1. Read the Entire Label

To make sure you take your medications correctly, start with the label on your pill bottle. As soon as you get your prescription, make sure that it's your name on the label. Also make sure that the medication name is right.

Read the entire label on each bottle before you take any of the pills. And re-read each label regularly. The label has important details that are easy to forget, especially if you take more than one medication (Figure 1).

Figure 1. What's On a Medication Label?

Tip 2. Follow the Instructions Carefully

Often the pharmacist gives you an information sheet with added details about your pills. Like the label, this sheet is a tool to help you take your pills correctly. For example, some medications won't work if you take calcium or other supplements within a few hours. Keep and re-read the information sheet as needed.

And never share your pills with other people. You and your friends may take blood pressure pills, but the type you each take can vary a lot. You never know if your medication could harm other people. They may be allergic to the pills that you take. Maybe your friend takes the same pills, but in a smaller dose. Or maybe other medication that your friend takes could cause a reaction when taken with your pills.

Tip 3. Use Reminders for Taking Your Pills

Some people say the hardest part about taking medications correctly is remembering to take them. It's easy to forget a dose now and then, especially if you're taking several medications. You might also try these ideas:

• Set a timer.
• Ask your partner, family member, or a friend to help remind you.
• Tape a reminder to your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, or front door.
• Set your pills next to your toothbrush, coffee pot, or nighttime reading material — whatever will remind you at the right time.
• Ask your doctor about services that (for a fee) call to remind you to take your pills.

You could also create a daily pill calendar, and check off the pills as you take them. You can download and print one type of monthly calendar (PDF format, 100 KB) from the American Heart Association.

Some people like to have help organizing their pills:

• Put colored stickers on your pill bottles: blue for morning, yellow for mid-day, black for bedtime.
• Buy a daily or weekly pill organizer. You can even buy a special pill organizer with a timer. But keep your pill bottles so that you have the labels for reference.

Tip 4. Plan Ahead for Refills

To keep your daily medication routine running smoothly, you need to know when to call for refills. Some pharmacies will not refill prescriptions more than a week before the current prescription runs out. Ask your pharmacist about any refill rules. And mark on your calendar when to call in the refill.

If you'll be out of town when you need your refill, talk to your pharmacist at least a week before you leave. Talk to your doctor about early refills if you order your pills through the mail. If your pharmacy allows you to order refills online, plan ahead so you won't run out.

You may want to find out what services your pharmacy offers, which might include:

• Providing large-print labels
• Filling your pill organizers
• Delivering your pills

When you get your refill, check to see that the pills look the same as before. Talk to your pharmacist if anything is different than you expected.

It's a good idea to always carry a list of your medications in your wallet. It's handy not only when you go to the pharmacy, but also when you travel. And it can be very helpful if you ever have an emergency or need to go to the hospital.

Tip 5. Get Advice From the Experts

You can't always tell whether your pills are working. In fact, many heart or blood vessel medications won't make you feel any different. But your doctor prescribes them for a reason. It's not a good idea to decide on your own to stop taking your pills. Talk to your doctor or nurse first instead.

On the other hand, if you're feeling better after taking only some of your prescription, you might be tempted to stop taking it. But follow the instructions. And always check with your doctor or nurse before you stop taking your pills.

Even if you notice side effects, it's not a good idea to stop taking your pills. Instead, let your doctor know what you're feeling. Perhaps your doctor can offer possible solutions or suggest ways you can manage side effects. The doctor will know which side effects are likely to go away after a short time. If you continue to be troubled by side effects, your doctor may lower your dose or perhaps order a different medication.

You can also talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're having trouble paying for your pills. They may know about programs that can help you save money on prescriptions.

If you have a cardiac device, you may also be taking medications. The device helps treat your heart condition. Check with your doctor or nurse to better understand how the medications help you.

Taking your medications as directed is one of the best things you can do for your health in the long term.

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