Medication Tips

Understanding Heart Failure | Nutritional Assessment | Medication Tips | Advanced Directives and DNRs | Controlling Heart Failure
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Download and print a medication list.

• Keep a list with the name, dose, and schedule of your medications
• Know the purpose of your medications to avoid redundant effects and confirm that your medicines do not mix adversely
• Know the best time to take your medicines; many cholesterol-lowering medications, for example, work better at bedtime
• Know which medicines to take with meals and on an empty stomach
• Do not crush, break, or chew time-release capsules
• Know which medicines to avoid mixing; schedule your medications to avoid side effects such as nausea or dizziness
• Let your heart failure practitioner know all the medications you take, including all over-the-counter drugs such as cold remedies, vitamins, aspirin, nicotine patches, and nutritional and herbal supplements
• Store your medication properly. Many medications are affected by light, temperature, and moisture
• Continue taking your medications even when you feel well
• Know the expiration dates of all your medications, especially nitroglycerine 
• If you run out of medication, do not wait until your next appointment to request more. Refil all prescriptions 1 to 2 weeks before you run out
• Never share medications
• Report all side effects to your health care provider
• Ask your family and friends to help you remember to take your medicines. Place reminders by the bed or television and on the bathroom mirror or refrigerator. Use pillboxes for convenience