The rising cost of health care today is enough to make anyone stand up and make his health a priority. However, it is inevitable that one may need to take some form of medication or treatment at one time or another. If you have been prescribed to take more than one kind of medicine, it is important to be careful. After all, inappropriate intake of medications can do you more harm than good. Below are some practical tips you should remember when taking medications:

1.Inform your doctor of all the medicines you have taken in the past and are currently using.

Some medicines can counteract the effects of each other or even cause serious reactions when taken together. Just because another person is taking Soma and Tylenol together does not mean that it is safe for you to do so without informing your doctor. Aside from the health risks, taking medications without informing your doctor can cost you. For example, if you need medications for fever and body pain, Tylenol will suffice. Taking Soma or another pain reliever will just be an added expense.

2.Read the entire label and information packet.

Most people make the mistake of reading only their doctor's prescription and instruction. However, it is important to read your medicines' labels and information packets completely. There might be some facts that are pertinent to your prescription that your doctor missed. Human error is also inevitable; you or your doctor may have made a mistake that simply reading the complete information packet can avert. Pay special attention to the ingredients of your medications and their contraindications.

3.Use a weekly pillbox.

If you are taking several medications, it is wise to invest in a weekly pillbox. Use a weekly pillbox with separate compartments for each day of the week and different times of the day. This way, keeping track of your medications - whether you have taken them or not - is easy. This prevents double-dosing or forgetting your medications.

4.Make medicating a habit.

Try to sync the schedule of your medications at the same time. Linking medicine intake with a stable part of your routine like brushing your teeth can help you remember and stick to your schedule. By making your medicine intake a part of your daily routine, you ease the burden of remembering and allow your body to adjust. This is especially helpful if you are taking several medicines. If you find syncing your intake difficult, you can ask your doctor to simplify things for you.

5.Keep a daily record of your medicine intake and observation of side effects.

You know how hard it is to describe events pertaining to medicine intake while attending your doctor's appointment. Visits normally lasts only for an hour and you have to make the most of these appointments. By keeping a record of the times you took your medicines and how they affected you, you can easily show your medication journal to your physician. He or she may be able to spot patterns you missed and adjust your medication dosage or prescription to make it easier for you to bear with the side effects.