Health Tip: Remember to Take Your Medications

(HealthDay News) -- Taking your medications as prescribed is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy, but it can also be one of the more difficult prescriptions to follow.

Here are some suggestions, courtesy of the National Jewish Medical and Research Center:

• Are you being forgetful, or do you doubt that you can really improve your condition? Many people don''t take medications because they feel hopeless about their medical condition, or may not feel that their medications are helping. You should talk to your doctor about your concerns.
• Take your medicines at the same time every day, with an activity like brushing your teeth or eating a meal. Storing your medications in a place convenient to those activities -- like by your toothbrush, alarm clock or in your kitchen -- may help remind you to take them each day.
• Use a labeled pill container to help you track which medications you''ve taken.
• Set an alarm to remind you to take your pills. You could also ask a friend or family member to call and remind you to take your medicines.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: May 25, 2006