Taking Your Epilepsy Medication Properly: How To Take Your Medications Properly

Content provided by Healthwise

How to take your medications properly

Here's how you can get started taking your medications properly.

Develop a medication plan

Work with your doctor to develop a medication plan. Factors to consider include:

• Names of all medications. Write down both the prescription and generic names for your medications. Have your doctor check the list. You can use this list to verify that the medications you get from the pharmacy are correct. Get a clear explanation of what the medication does and why you are taking it.
• Medication schedule. Be sure you understand how much of each medication to take and when to take each one. Ask your doctor if you can simplify your medication schedule. This may make it easier for you to remember to take your medications as directed.
• How to handle missed doses. Even the most careful people miss a dose now and then. Talk with your doctor about what you should do if you miss a dose of your medication. Discuss and write down what to do for each medication; what you should do if you miss a dose may differ from one medication to another.
• Medication costs. If cost is a consideration in developing a medication plan, ask your doctor whether less expensive, equally effective generic brands would be appropriate for you. You may want to ask him or her for a 90-day supply of your medications if it is more economical. Compare prices between several pharmacies, and consider mail-order pharmacies.
• Medications to avoid. Some nonprescription medications and drugs may react with your prescribed epilepsy medications. Make a list of medications to avoid, and check with your doctor before taking any medications on this list.

Get organized

Taking medications properly means taking the right dose of the right medication at the right time. To be sure you are taking your medications properly, you may want to develop a system to keep track of when and how you take your pills.

• Make a list of all your medications and keep it up to date. At every visit with your doctor, review your master list of medications (What is a PDF document?).
• Plan a daily schedule of medications. Post your medication schedule in a prominent place near your medicine cabinet. Take it along when you travel. Record your medication schedule in a daily planner that has spaces for hourly entries (What is a PDF document?).
• Use a pillbox. Get a pillbox that holds a week's worth of pills. You can also label an empty egg carton and use it to organize one day's or one week's worth of pills.
• Post reminders. Get sticky note pads and post reminders to take your medications near clocks or on the bathroom mirror to keep you on schedule.

Taking your medications

Keep the following in mind as you follow your medication plan.

• Store medications properly. Keeping medications in a location that is too hot or too cold may decrease their effectiveness. Find out from your doctor or pharmacist how to properly store your medications. Always remember to store medications out of the reach of children.
• Watch for side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what side effects to expect. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are having side effects from your medications.
• Post a list of medications to avoid in a place where you can refer to it whenever you need to. Always check with your doctor before taking any additional medications, prescription or nonprescription. This includes any herbal or natural supplements.
• Take your medication list with you for each visit with your doctor, and take time to review it.
• Notify your doctor immediately if you start having more seizures than usual. Let your doctor know if you have any changes in your health that might affect your medication needs, such as weight gain, pregnancy, or another medical condition.

Continue to Where to go from here

Return to Taking your epilepsy medication properly

E-mail This | Print This Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Last updated:	November 11, 2005
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman