Dosing Schedule

It will be easier to adhere to your drugs if you set up a dosing schedule that works for you. Ask your health care provider the following questions:

• How many times a day should each dose be taken?
• How many pills are in a dose?
• Are there any food requirements, for example, take on an empty stomach or take with food?
• Are there any medications or supplements that may interfere with how this drug works?

Then make your plan. If you take drugs in the morning, pick something that you do every morning, like brushing your teeth or having a cup of coffee. Take your drugs at that time.

If your drugs are twice a day or only in the evening, pick a reminder at night. Maybe you always watch the 11:00 news or have a cup of tea before you go to bed. Whatever you do, add your drugs to your routine!

If you have children, make sure your pill-taking schedule fits in with their routines as well as your own.

Track how well you are taking your pills by keeping a journal or chart. Remember that everyone makes mistakes. When this happens, you just need to start again and commit to staying on track. But if you start missing doses on a regular basis, tell your health care provider. He or she can help you identify the problem and come up with a solution.