Be candid. If a prescribed drug is too costly to take as directed, ask for a lessexpensive alternative. If you have difficulty swallowing certain pills, find it inconvenient to take medications more than once a day, or experience side effects, share that information with your physician. Adjustmentssuch as changing the dose or time of day a drug is taken or switching to a different drugcan often be made.
Keep medical records current. If a specialist prescribes a new medication, be sure to let your primary care doctor know immediatelyand vice versa. Also, let your doctor know if you are taking any over-the-counter supplements. These products may have side effects. They can also interact with medications, both prescription and nonprescription.
Consult your pharmacist. If you have any question whatsoever about a medication, talk to your pharmacist. He or she can provide you with a package insert describing the medication (large-print formats are available) and can provide advice based on professional experience and training.
Use containers you can open. If you have trouble with childproof caps, be sure to ask your pharmacist for an easy-to-open variety. If there are young children in your home, be sure to keep non-childproof bottles out of their reach.
Use memory and organizational aids. Ask friends or family members to remind you when to take your medications, link taking your medications with other daily events, keep your pill bottles in plain sight, set your alarm clock or watch as a reminder, post notes where youll see them, use pill boxes to sort your medications by the day or the week. Experiment with different techniques and devices, select the approaches that work best for you, and use them consistently.