Quick Tips for Medication

If a medication is causing unpleasant side effects, work with the healthcare team to figure out how you might eliminate or minimize the effects. Sometimes the dosage can be adjusted, a medication can be taken at a different time, or another medication can be substituted.
To avoid potentially dangerous drug interactions, tell your doctor about any other medications you’re taking. This includes over-the-counter drugs like pain relievers or herbal medicines.
If your doctor prescribes more than one heart failure drug, ask whether combining them can cause complications.
Take doses exactly as prescribed, and be sure to refill prescriptions on time.
To help keep your medications straight, use a weekly pillbox with separate compartments for each day of the week and different times of the day.
Try taking your medicine at the same time of day so it becomes a routine.
Try to link taking your medicine with a particular activity, such as brushing your teeth.
If you’re taking a diuretic (water pill), ask your doctor if you can time it so you’re less likely to urinate at night. You’ll get a better night’s sleep.
When taking diuretics, ask your doctor if you need to take a potassium supplement or if just eating high-potassium foods is adequate.
Medications are typically available in brand name and generic forms, and some insurance plans will only pay for the generic unless the doctor indicates otherwise. Ask your doctor whether you need a specific brand of drug or if you can take the generic form.
Keep a daily written record of when you take your medication, and bring it with you to doctor appointments.
If it’s too hard to keep track of your medications and when to take them, ask if there’s any way to simplify the schedule.