Medication adherence

Taking medicine as your doctor prescribes may improve your health and may prevent future problems. Not taking medicines properly could put your health or your life at risk.

Taking your medicines safely is especially important for those who take a lot of medicines. Taking a lot of pills increases your chances of having problems. If you take more than one medicine that works the same way, you could get too high a dose. And sometimes medicines work against each other.

Taking your medicines as your doctor says may include:

• What time of day you take them.
• How much you take.
• How you take them, such as with water or food.
• How long you need to take them.

Try to take each of your medicines at the same time each day. Make a list of your medicines, and post it someplace where you will see it often. The list should include the name of each medicine, the dose, how often you take it and when, and any special instructions (such as whether you take it with meals or on an empty stomach).

To keep track of all your pills, try using a weekly medicine organizer.

If you're having a problem with your medicine, don't just stop taking it. Keep in mind that your medicines can help you avoid complications that could happen because of your health problem. Talk to your doctor first if:

You're having a problem with side effects.

You may be able to take a different medicine. Or your doctor may have ideas about how to reduce side effects. If an upset stomach is the problem, for example, ask if you can take the medicine with food.

You feel that your medicine isn't working.

Keep in mind that some medicines take time to work.

Your medicine is too hard to use.

Ask your doctor about ways to make taking it easier. For example, if you use an inhaler, ask your doctor to show you how to use it. If you need to give yourself shots, ask your doctor for tips on how to make it easier.