See === Five Tips For Prescription Medication Success (NAPSA)—For people who are on one or more daily prescription medi- cines, forgetting to take a pill can happenfrom time to time. Planning ahead for such schedule-disrupting events as vacations and special events can help you stay on track and minimize any health risks that might result from not “taking as directed” ViTAMip Doctor’s Advice “It’s really important to take your medication exactly as prescribed, even if you don't feel different after missing @ a day or two,” explained Dr. Victoria Losinski, director of pharmacy services at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minne- sota. “This is especially true for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, because their risk of ending up in the hospital is 2.5 times greater when notfollowinga doctor's treatmentplan.” The mantra “you have to take the medicine for it to work” goes beyond diabetes control. People who don't take their prescribed high blood pressure medication on a regular basis have a 42 percent higher chance ofdeveloping chronic heart failure. And people on high cholesterol medications are twice as likely to develop heartdisease if their cholesterolis not undercontrol. Whenit comes to taking medication,little details can make a big rence. sider using a small one-page calendar, suchas the kind found in a checkbook or available through a downloadable tracker, to markoff that you have taken your medseach day. 3. Get organized. Using a pillbox is a simple low-tech way to make sure you take exactly what you need when youneedit. Thereare also pharmacies, including PillPack, that sort your prescriptions, vitamins andother over-thecounter medicinesinto dated packets to Tohelp, hereare five tried-and-true maketaking your meds eveneasier. You can also askyour pharmacy if it offers a similar program. 1. Talk to a pharmacist. Some drugs phoneto schedule reminders. If you're lookingfor an app, try Rxremind, which What You Can Do tips for strengthening your everyday prescription medication habits: have very specific instructions on when to take them, whether to take them on an empty stomach, with certain foods or to avoid in conjunction with certain medications. Your pharmacist can help you understand your medications and mapa planto stay on track. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota members canalsocall the numberon the back of their cards and speakwith a nurse guide. 2. Write it down. If you've got sev- eral medications to manage, write down the details to keep them straight. Con- 4. Set an alarm. Use your smart- can be downloaded for iPhone or for Android. 5. Refill on time. Accessing your pharmacy’s auto-refill program, requesting a 90-day supply and using a mail-order prescription service areall good waysto help make sure you don't run out and missyour medication. For Learn More additional resources, visit ManageMyMeds. facts, tips and Bluecrossmn.com/
