Some of us only have one prescription, while others take 15-20 medications daily! Regardless of your medications, your local McAllen pharmacy has some tips for you for managing your medications.
Creating an organized regimen can help maintain your medications and your health. Read on for tips on medication management and the medication management services available at your McAllen pharmacy!
Tips for a Healthy Medication Regimen
Nobody should have to stress about their medication all day long, but we also don’t want you to forget to take your medications while enjoying your best life. Whether you have a few prescriptions or several, these tips can help you maintain a healthy medication regimen!
1. Make It Routine
Make taking your medication a routine by taking it at the same time and place every day, if possible. If you have a prescription you need to take every morning before breakfast, set it on your nightstand with a bottle of water nearby. That way, your medication is right there as soon as you wake up. Routines can help form habits, making it easier to remember to take your medications!
2. Use a Pill Organizer
Keeping your medications organized will help you take the right amount each day. Even if you only have one or two medications, it can be easy to lose track of whether or not you’ve taken them yet. Pill boxes are a helpful way to remember if you have taken your pills already. Plus, some medicines don’t have to be taken at a specific time of day. When life gets busy, we can forget if we take our medications. Thankfully, pill boxes show the days of the week to help remind us what day to take specific medications.
3. Set Reminders or Alarms
If you have a prescription that needs to be taken at specific times of the day, it may be helpful to have an alarm or reminder set on your phone. Or, if you have medications to take at lunchtime, it may be helpful to place a sticky note on your fridge to remind you to take them.
4. Ask Your Loved Ones to Help
People around you can also help you maintain your medication regimen. Friends and loved ones living with you can check whether or not you’ve taken your daily medications. If there’s a prescription you keep forgetting to take, ask a family member or friend to call and remind you. If you have a home health nurse who frequently visits, ask them to check your pill organizer to make sure you’ve taken your medications.
5. Store Medications Correctly
Most medications will include instructions on proper storage. Proper storage allows your medication to work correctly. Usually, medicine should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat and humidity. However, each medication is a little different, and some may need to be refrigerated. Be sure to ask your local pharmacist for proper storage instructions.
6. Get Refills Ahead of Time
Make sure you are staying ahead on refill times. Don’t wait until you have one or two days left to request a refill. The medication you need may be on backorder or out that day, with a shipment coming in the following day or even days later in rare cases. Getting your refills ahead of time will allow you not to miss any medication days, protecting your health. Your Saenz Pharmacy offers online refills to help you keep up-to-date. As soon as you are getting low, you can whip out your phone to place a convenient online refill order!
7. Take as Directed
Take your medications as directed by your primary physician or pharmacist. Your prescription may have some adverse side effects if you take too much or take the drug incorrectly. Ask your pharmacist about proper dosage and usage. Some medications are used on an as-needed basis, so you will need to make sure you don’t take more than the recommended amount.
8. Make a Detailed List
Keep a detailed list of your medications, including dosages and the times you take them. Review this list each time you visit your provider and pharmacy. Your pharmacist may want to double-check your list to ensure you don’t have any medications that don’t mix well. This list will also help you remember which medications to take and when.
8. Find the Right Pharmacist
If possible, find one pharmacist that you can stick to regularly. Choosing a single pharmacist will help you save time and money on trips to multiple pharmacies. Also, some local pharmacies offer online refills and multi-month ordering to save you multiple pharmacy trips. Plus, free delivery services are available at some pharmacies if you would rather stay home and save your trips out and about for fun activities!
Saenz Pharmacy Offers Convenient Medication Management
Keeping a regular medication schedule doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you take a dozen medications or just one, your McAllen pharmacists at Saenz Pharmacy would be happy to help you create the perfect plan to manage your treatments and protect your health.
Seaenz Pharmacy offers convenient online services and medication management help to make sure our customers have access to the care they need. For any medication questions or further assistance, just give us a call!