How To Manage Your Medications

It's not just the elderly who have trouble keeping track of their meds. Whether it's vitamins, herbal supplements, or prescription drugs, it can be hard to keep track of medications that you take. It is also extremely important to take your medications at the time your doctor recommends, so try these tips to manage your medications!

1. Talk to your doctor. Before beginning any medication, make sure you know what it is and why you are taking it. Your doctor should clearly explain this, along with how long to take it and when to take it. If your doctor doesn't explain these things to you, make sure you ask. Sometimes physicians are in a hurry and forget to give important information.
2. Talk to the pharmacist. Pharmacists may be more aware of side effects and interactions among various medications. Double-check the instructions with the pharmacist to see if he or she agrees with your doctor. It is helpful to bring a list of your other medications so that pharmacists can check for interaction.
3. Read about the medications. Read through the information sheet that usually comes with each medication. Although you have probably gotten all the information from the doctor or the pharmacist, it can't hurt to check the side effects, dosage, and purpose of the drug once again.
4. Use a pillbox or pill dispenser. There are pill dispensers that have a space for each day, as well as larger ones that have spaces for several times during each day. Based on how many medications you take and whether they need to be taken at the same time or during different times, you can choose between the larger or smaller pill dispensers.
5. Use a calendar. Especially if you have a medication that needs to be taken once a week, a calendar can help immensely. In fact, some medications come with reminder stickers for your calendar.
6. Get prescriptions refilled on time. Calendars can also be a help with this - mark on your calendar when you need to refill your prescriptions, making sure to get refills a few days before your prescriptions run out. You don't want to wait until the last minute!
7. Look into Internet refills. Electronic prescription refills can save you time and make sure your prescriptions get to you more quickly.
8. Put your medications some place obvious. If your meds are stashed behind your computer monitor, you may not see them and might forget. Put them right by your toothbrush or near the coffeemaker where you will see them at the right time.
9. Get into a routine. Try to take your medications at the same time every day so that it becomes natural. They can be taken right after brushing your teeth, for example, or with a meal. Getting into a routine will make you much less likely to forget to take your meds.

Managing your medications will make your life a lot easier and ensure that you stay healthy. In addition, you definitely don't want to be taking medications that you don't need, so it's a good idea to check expiration dates and always bring a list of your medications to doctor's visits. Your doctor can tell you if you still need to be taking all the medications.