Download Medicine Tips

Medicine Tips
Get a pill box with days of the week and
times on it. Fill it once a week. Keep it in a
place where you will see it often during the
day.
Make a chart of your medicines with the
name of each drug, time of day you take
each pill, number of pills at each dose. Then
mark off the chart when you have taken
each dose.
You may want to set an alarm clock or
kitchen timer to remind you when to take
your medicines.
Take your medicines at the same time every
day. It may be easier to remember if you
take them with other things you do every
day, such as with meals or certain TV shows.
If you miss a dose, DO NOT take 2 doses at
the same time. If it is a once-a-day
medicine, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is a medicine you take more than once
a day, skip the dose and take your next
dose.
Take your medicine with you if you are
away from home for a long time. If you fly,
carry your medicines with you. Do not
check them. Take an extra 3-4 days of
medicine in case of bad weather or delays
getting home.
DO NOT stop taking any medicine without
speaking with your doctor or nurse. If you
have side effects, your doctor or nurse may
be able to change to something that works
better for you.
Ask your doctor or nurse which over-thecounter medicines you may take, especially
for cold or flu.
Call for refills one
week before you run
out. Plan ahead. If
you have problems
refilling medicines,
talk with your doctor
or pharmacist to get
them.
Throw away all outdated or expired
medicines. Do not take them.
Do not take medicine prescribed for
someone else.
Keep a list of your medicines with you at
all times. It is very valuable if you see
different doctors or if you are hospitalized.
This is for education only. Ask your own doctor any questions you have about your health. © 2008 by Vanderbilt University.
All rights reserved. Vanderbilt Medical Center Patient & Family Centered Care HC-0063 06/09