Understanding your medicines can be hard. You might take them for several reasons, at different times of the day, and knowing how to take them can be confusing. With the baby boomer generation getting older and the number of medicines produced and consumed increasing, it is crucial to help our patients understand what they are taking, why they are taking them and how to take them safely. Asking questions about your medicines and ensuring you understand the instructions will help keep you safe.

Ask your care team about your medicines

“Do I take that little white pill and the two pink pills with breakfast?”

Questions like this are common. If you have trouble understanding why you are taking a medicine, it can also be hard to know what medicine your provider has prescribed you and its purpose. Some patients know their medicines only by shape and color, but not what they are used for.

Some questions to ask your care team to help keep you safe are:

  • What does this medicine do?
  • What are the most common side effects?
  • What if I do not like this medicine?
  • When should I take it?
  • What happens if I do not take it?
  • What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • Can I eat and drink with my medicine?
  • What is a reason I should call the provider?

Remembering when to take them

“If I need to take this pill two times a day, can I take it with breakfast and lunch so I do not forget to take it later on?”

It can be hard to remember when to take your medicines. Some must be taken at a specific time to help you feel better and achieve the desired results. It is important to know that some medicines must be taken at particular times to work.

Some ways to stay organized and help you remember when to take your prescribed medicines are:

  • Use a pill planner.
  • Write down a schedule or use a calendar.
  • Take medicines at the same time each day.
  • Get your refills.
  • Ask for help if you need it.

Here is an example of an easy-to-use medicine schedule to keep you safe: Daily Medicine Schedule (healthwise.net)

Take Control of Your Understanding

Make sure you receive information in a way you can understand. When you get information about your medicines, tell your provider what you heard in your own words. For example, tell your provider in your own words how and when you will take new medicines and what side effects you will look for when taking them.

Safety Tips!

Other ways to be safe are:

  • Keep a list of your medicines.
  • Bring your medicine list to your provider appointments.
  • Throw away old medicines.
  • Store your prescribed medicines in a dry, cool area or according to the directions on the label. Keep them away from children.
  • Ask for printed information in your preferred language.
  • Ask for an interpreter.

Using these tips and asking questions about your medicines will help you to understand them better and stay safe.

For more information on medicine safety, check out this helpful video: Managing Your Medicines (healthwise.net).

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