STEP SIX: Take Your Medication

Usually, your doctor will know what medicines you should take. These medicines should help you feel better or be good for you in some way. Your doctor should discuss these medicines with you and your parents and together you can decide which medicines you will take. It is very important for you to know how to take your medicine.

You should:

• Take your medicine on time so that it replaces the medicine your body has used since your last dose.
• Take your medicine on time to keep the right level of the medicine in your body.
• Take your medicine on a regular basis so your treatment will be more successful.

And remember:

• If you miss a dose, or your medicine runs out, or you take fewer pills than you were told to, the drug level in your body can get too low and it might not be able to do its job.

What do I need to know?

Medicines can help you feel better. But if medicines are taken the wrong way, they can actually make you feel worse. To use both prescription medicines and medicines you can buy "over-the-counter" (without a prescription from your doctor) correctly, follow the guidelines below.

What questions should I ask my doctor about my medicines?

If there is something you don't understand about a medicine you're taking, ask your doctor. If you still don't understand, ask your doctor to explain things more clearly. There is no harm in asking questions. Also, make sure your doctor explains your medicine to your parents. Sometimes parents can be more helpful in explaining things that are confusing. The more information you get about the medicine you are taking, the better off you will be.

If you are taking other medicines, be sure to ask how they will work together in your body. Sometimes medicines cause problems when they are taken together (called a drug interaction).

Take this list of questions with you to your next doctor visit. Ask your doctor these questions—they really can help you learn how to use your medicine correctly and safely:

• What does the medicine do?
• When and how should I take the medicine?
• What side effects (reactions your body may have to the medicine) could I have?
• Will my medicine react to any other medicines, foods, or drinks?
• Should I avoid any activities while I'm taking this medicine?
• What should I do if I forget to take my medicine?
• How will I know if the medicine is working?

How can I remind myself to take my medicine?

Come up with a plan! Talk to your parents about how they can help you to take your medicine at the same time every day, such as when you wake up or with meals. Keep the medicine bottle(s) in a place that you can get to easily. (Make sure that medicines are not in a place where younger brothers or sisters can find them. Explain to them how important the medicine is to you and how harmful it can be to them.)

Here are some other medicine do's and don'ts

Do

• Make sure that your parents and other family members (especially your parents) know what medicines you are supposed to take and when.
• Read the label carefully.
• Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to.
• Make sure that all of your doctors have a list of all of the medicines you are taking.
• Ask your doctor and parents to make a schedule of the medicines you have to take, that way you will know exactly what you need to take and when.
• Make sure your parents use the same pharmacy for all of your medicines. That way the pharmacist knows your needs better.

Don't

• Don't combine medicines that you get from the doctor with medicines that you buy over-the-counter, unless your doctor says it's OK.
• Don't stop taking a medicine or change how much or how often you take it without talking to your doctor.
• Don't use medicine after its expiration date.

What if I don't feel better even though I'm taking my medicine?

Most medicines need time to work. Talk to your parents and your doctor if you have questions about what you're taking. Talk to your parents and your doctor if you don't feel better after taking your medicine as prescribed. Ask your doctor how long it should take for the medicine to make you feel better. It might take time to find the best medicine for you and the best amount of it.

Here are some important things you and your parents should know about the medicines that you are taking:

• Name of the medicine
• Reason for taking the medicine
• How much to take of the medicine
• How often to take the medicine
• How long to take the medicine
• Any special instructions (taking medicine with meals or at bedtime, etc.)

Should I avoid any foods, drinks, or activities while I'm taking medicine?

Every medicine is different. You and your parents should talk to your doctor about things to avoid while you are taking a prescription medicine. Some foods can cause side effects, such as stomach upset, if you are taking medicine. Some medicines cause reactions such as sun sensitivity (getting a sunburn or sun rash), so you may have to limit your outdoor activities or take precautions to protect your skin from the sun.

When it comes to taking medicine, the most important things you can do are to:

1. Talk openly and often with your parents and your doctor.
2. Follow the instructions your doctor gave to you about your medicine.

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