STAY SMART NOTES HOW TO
Your trusted health care professional can provide you with tips on how to manage your medications, including what to do if you miss a dose, if you can take them with other medications or vitamins, foods to avoid, and any possible side effects and interactions.Įstablishing a strong relationship with your doctor or pharmacist can create an open environment where you feel comfortable asking questions and expressing concerns about a medication. One of the best ways to meet your goal is to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the medications you are taking. Taking your medication as directed gives you the best opportunity to manage your chronic condition and maintain the best possible health for yourself. Whatever the reason, you could miss out on potential benefits, quality of life improvements, and could lose protection against future illness or serious health complications. One person may face different barriers at different times as he or she manages his or her condition. Some may face a combination of these reasons for not taking their medications. And we all know that the rising cost of prescription medications is a barrier for many.They may fear the side effects or have difficulty taking the medication (especially with injections or inhalers).They may not be convinced of the medication’s effectiveness or be unsure that it is working.There are many reasons why people are not able to take their medication as directed. In sum, poor medication adherence takes the lives of 125,000 Americans annually.
For instance, not keeping blood pressure in check can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. When patients with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease do not take medication as directed, the repercussions can be severe. People do not realize the real damage or consequences of non-adherence. Taking medication correctly may seem like a simple or personal matter, but non-adherence (or not taking medication as directed) is a complicated and common problem. It is estimated that three out of four Americans do not take their medication as directed. When a new medication is prescribed, ask your doctor: What is the medication’s name? Is there a generic version available? Why am I taking this medication? When should I take it? Should I take it on an empty stomach or with food? Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking this medication? If I forget to take it, what should I do? How much should I take? How long should I continue to take it? What problems or side effects should I watch for? NOTE: If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, seek the advice of your doctor before taking any medication or supplement. Bring your medication list to every doctor appointment. You may want to create a spreadsheet listing the name of the medication, dosage, when to take it, what it’s for and the prescribing doctor’s name. Include on your list the date when it was last updated. Keep an updated list of all medications you use, including prescription drugs, over-the- counter medications and supplements. Always make sure you can read the label clearly. Don’t skip taking your medication without checking with your doctor. Ask in advance about any possible side effects from each medication you take. Medicines can cause problems such as sleepiness, vomiting, bleeding, headaches or rashes. Ask your pharmacist about any questions you may have. Note the expiration date and don’t use a medicine after the date on the bottle. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a different medicine. If you know you are allergic to anything in the medicine, don’t use it. The label should show the list of ingredients. So we need to read the label, avoid problems, ask questions and keep good records. All this costs Americans more than $100 billion each year.Īs adults, we often take care of medicines for the whole family as well as ourselves. This leads to more doctor visits, hospital stays, lost wages and changed prescriptions.
Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health. About 30 to 50 percent of those who take medicines at home do not use them as directed, according to the U.S.
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