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Managing Medication | Medication Reminders | Drug Review | Your "411" For Help

Medication Reminders

Studies estimate that two-thirds of Americans that use medicine fail to take their drugs as prescribed, mainly because they either don’t remember; can’t afford them or experience unpleasant side effects.

If forgetfulness is the problem, here are some tips that may help:

• Keep your medicines in a place you’ll notice them like your bedside stand, kitchen counter, etc. Don’t keep them in the bathroom medicine cabinet where they’re exposed to damaging humidity and heat.
  
• If you can, take medicines at the same time each day. To help remember, try linking your medicine to something you do regularly like brushing your teeth or eating lunch.
  
• Use calendars, pillboxes or medication timers (see www.epill.com) as reminders, and to keep organized.
  
• Keep a written schedule or checklist of the pills you take and how often to take them. Click here for a printable Emergency Medication List.
  
• Put reminder notes around the house (on the refrigerator, by the phone, etc.).
  
• Ask a friend or relative to call and remind you.
  
• Monitor your disease. Home blood-pressure or blood-sugar testing, for example can help motivate you to take your medication.
  
• Remember to order refills in time to avoid lapses in treatment.