The number of prescription medicines taken by Americans is growing. One in four U.S. adults take five or more medicines a week. Many people find it hard to take their medicines as directed by their doctor. They may forget doses, or stop taking their medicine completely. The result is your medicine may never have a chance to work. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid medicine mishaps and help you take control over your health.

Understand your medication!
The first step to properly taking your medicine is to learn about it. Knowledge allows you to play an active role in your health. Before leaving the doctor's office or pharmacy ask these basic questions.

1. What is the name of my medicine? It is important to know the brand name or generic name if available of your prescription. This will help you link your medicine name to the information given to you by your healthcare professionals. Knowing the name of your medicine will also help you to talk to your doctor or pharmacist easily about any questions that you may have. It is always a good idea to carry with you a list of your medicines in your wallet or purse for emergencies.
2. Why do I need this medicine? Understand the reason why you are taking a medicine and why it is important to your health. How will this new medicine help you? What will happen if you do not take your medicine? Your decision to take your medicine will be easier if you realize why you need it.
3. How often do I take it? This information will help you to plan a medicine schedule that works with your personal life. Consider your daily sleeping habits, meal schedule, and work schedule. It is important to think ahead. Is your schedule the same on the weekend or different? Can you take all your pills at home or will you need to take them with you to work? Ask your pharmacist to explain directions. Does "three times a day" mean breakfast, lunch, and dinner or exactly every 8 hours? It could make a difference.
4. Should I take it with food? It is necessary to know whether or not to take a medicine with food. While some medications work better in your body if taken on an empty stomach others require that you take it with food.
5. What are the side effects? Side effects can occur with every medicine and often scare people away from taking medicine at all. Lorie Widdup RPh PharmD, a pharmacist for Rite Aid Pharmacy in Waynesburg, PA commented, "Some patients believe that the side effects of many medications are worse than the disease itself and, in turn, decide the medicine isn't working." Still, many people gain more health benefits from their medications than they lose to side effects. While most medicines have side effects they are often mild. Some side effects will go away with time as a person adjusts to the medicine and many others can be prevented. If you are worried about a side effect, talk to your health care professional so they can help you manage it or change your medicine if needed.
6. What about drug interactions? Your pharmacist will check for drug interactions each time you have a prescription filled. Over-the-counter drugs, herbals, or medications you have filled at other pharmacies could also cause drug interactions. It is important to let your pharmacist know all the medicines you take everyday.
7. How long will I need this medication? This question can have many different answers. If you have a bacterial infection you may only need to finish one treatment of antibiotics taken over a few days or weeks. However, many diseases like high blood pressure require life long treatment.
8. What do I do if I forget a dose? All medicines work differently inside your body. With some medicines you may take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Unfortunately, you may not be able to do this with other medicines. For this reason, it is important to ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do if you forget a dose for each different medicine you take.

Get Organized!
Your local pharmacy can offer many supplies to make taking pills easier such as: pillboxes, organizers, and pill cutters for tablets that need to be split. There is also a growing market of electronic beepers, watches, pill dispensers and software for computers and personal digital assistants (PDA's). These items vary in price and some are easier to use than others. They can provide many different ways to help you take your medicine as prescribed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need help deciding what is right for you.

Get A Helping Hand!
If you are having trouble working out a medicine schedule and following it or if you don't know where to begin, ask your doctor or pharmacist for suggestions. They are trained to help you design a medicine schedule that fits into your daily activities. The best way for you to get the full benefit from your medicines is to find a schedule that works with your life. Your family and friends are also a good source of support.