- Store your medicine the way your doctor or pharmacist tells you. ALWAYS keep it away from heat, light and moisture.
- Never store medications in the bathroom. There's too much moisture there.
- Don't carry medicines next to your body. That can raise the temperature and cause some medications to break down.
- Keep track of what pills you can and can't take together, including over-the-counter medicines.
- Always get your prescription filled on time so you don't run out. Missing even one day can make a difference in the effectiveness of many medications.
- Don't stop taking a prescribed medication because your symptoms have gone away.
- Use one pharmacy for all your medicines. This will help ensure that you don't take conflicting medications.
- Try to see the same pharmacist each time.
- If you have any questions about your pills, make a note to remind yourself to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Tell your doctor if you have any side effects.
- Don't take more of your medicine than the prescribed dose.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist before buying a new over-the-counter medicine, such as an antihistamine or "cold tablets," to be sure they won't interfere with your prescribed medicine.
- Always check with your doctor before you stop taking a medicine.
- Make sure that ALL of your doctors know ALL of the medicines you're taking — both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
- Be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist of any herbal preparations you're taking. Some herbals can interact with prescribed medications and cause them to be less effective.
- Know the names and doses of the medicines you're taking.
- Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
- ALWAYS let your physician know about any side effects you experience.
- Talk to your physician before starting an exercise program.
- Throw away any medicines that aren't currently prescribed to you.
- Don't share your medications with anyone else. What's right for you may be deadly for them.
- Ask for your pharmacist's advice before crushing or splitting tablets. Some should only be swallowed whole.
- If you store your medications in any container other than the one they come in, be sure to show the container to your pharmacist to ask if it will change the effectiveness of your medication.
This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 10/03/08.
