TIP - Are You Taking Your Medicines As Prescribed?

Did you know that half of all medications are not taken as the doctor prescribes them? That’s dangerous! The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 125 thousand people die because they are not taking their meds properly each year in the US.

Here are some quick tips to help you stay on track with your meds.

• Be sure you understand exactly how to take the medicine your doctor is prescribing. Ask questions before you leave the doctor’s office. Take notes if possible. You can also ask for a consultation with the pharmacist when you fill your prescription.
  
  
• Take your medicine at the same time every day. Make it a routine, and it will be harder to forget to take it.
  
  
• Write up or type and print off a schedule of when to take each medicine. Keep the list handy.
  
  
• Use a weekly pill box, or put timer caps on your pill bottles.

For additional ideas from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/why-you-need-take-your-medications-prescribed-or-instructed