Why is it important to take your medicine as prescribed?
Taking medicine as your doctor prescribes may improve your health and may prevent future problems. Not taking medicines properly could put your health or your life at risk.
Taking your medicines safely is especially important for those who take a lot of medicines. Taking a lot of pills increases your chances of having problems. If you take more than one medicine that works the same way, you could get too high a dose. And sometimes medicines work against each other.
How do you take your medicines as prescribed?
Taking your medicines as your doctor says may include:
- What time of day you take them.
- How much you take.
- How you take them, such as with water or food.
- How long you need to take them.
Try to take each of your medicines at the same time each day. Make a list of your medicines, and post it someplace where you will see it often. The list should include the name of each medicine, the dose, how often you take it and when, and any special instructions (such as whether you take it with meals or on an empty stomach).
To keep track of all your pills, try using a weekly medicine organizer.
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