Why Is It Important To Take Medicine Correctly? - Tufts Health ...

It's important to take medication as instructed, even if you feel fine, in order to prevent your condition from getting worse or causing ... Skiptomainsitenavigation Skiptomaincontent Home HealthyLiving WhyIsItImportantToTakeMedicineCorrectly? WhyIsItImportantToTakeMedicineCorrectly? It’simportanttotakemedicationasinstructed,evenifyoufeelfine,inordertopreventyourconditionfromgettingworseorcausingadditionalcomplications. It’simportanttotakemedicationasinstructed,evenifyoufeelfine,inordertopreventyourconditionfromgettingworseorcausingadditionalcomplications. AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreven­tion,medicationtakenincorrectlycauses125,000deathsperyearinthiscountry.Takingyourmedicationcorrectlymeanstakingtherightdoseattherighttime.It’simport­anttofollowyourdoctor’sinstructionsfortakingyourmedications. Askalotofquestions Beforetakinganewmedication,makesureyouknowwhateachmedicationisfor,andthenameandcontactinformationofthedoctorwhoprescribedit.Also,it’simportanttounderstandhowtotakethemedication,suchastimeofday,withorwithoutfood,andhowtostoreitproperly. 5rulestofollow Taketheprescribeddoseatthesametimeeachday(useamemoryaidsuchasmeals,bedtime,charts,orpillboxes). Don’tskipdosesortakehalfdosestosavemoney. Takemedicineuntilit’sfinishedoruntilyourdoctorsaysit’sokaytostop. Don’ttakemedicinesprescribedforanotherperson. Consultwithadoctoraboutalcohol—itcancausesomemedicationtobelesseffectiveorcausehealthissues. Makeiteasiertorememberyourmedications Developaroutine–fortakingyourmedicationbyconnectingitwithadailyactivity.Forexample,takeyourmedicineeachmorningwhenyoumakecoffee,oruseanexternalreminder,likeaphonealarm,topromptyoutotakeyourmedication. Useapillbox–tohelpmakesureyou’retakingyourmedicationsattherighttimeeachday.Thereareavarietyofdaily,weekly,ormonthlypillboxesavailable. Useacalendar–tohelpyourememberwhentotakeyourmedicationsandwhentheyneedtoberefilled.Keepyourcalendarinavisiblelocationandincludetheexactdaysandtimesyou’resupposedtotakeyourmedication.Markthecalendarifyoumissadoseandremembertobringthecalendarwithyoutoyourdoctorappointments. Makealist–tohelpyoumanageyourmedicationsandavoidharmfuldruginteractions.Listallyourmedications—includingover-the-countermedications—andgiveacopytoyourdoctor.Foraneasywaytolistyourmedications,usetheDoctorVisitBook. Howtomakefewertripstothepharmacy Thereareservicesthatcanhelpreducethenumberoftripsyouneedtomaketothepharmacyandhelpyoustayontrackwithyourmedications.Manypharmaciesnowoffermedicationsynchronizationservicesthatallowyoutogetallyourprescriptionsontothesamerefillschedule.Withmedicationsynchronization,you’llhaveamoreaccuratesupplyofmedicationsandmakefewertripstothepharmacy.Askyourlocalpharmacisthowyoucansynchronizeyourprescriptions.Foradditionalwaystoreducetripstothepharmacy,trytheseservices. Resources&Tools DrugSearch Usethedrugsearchtoolstofindoutifyourdrugsarecoveredandwhichtiertheyfallunderonyourplantype. ReadmoreaboutDrugSearch FindaDoctor FindadoctorwithinyourTuftsHealthPlanMedicarePreferredHMOnetworkoryourTuftsHealthPlanSeniorCareOptionsnetwork. ReadmoreaboutFindaDoctor HealthLibraryA-Z TuftsHealthPlanhaspartneredwithHealthwisetoprovidememberswithaccesstoalibraryofhigh-qualitycontentonconditions,treatmentsandmore. ReadmoreaboutHealthLibraryA-Z