Medications

  Click here for some tips for Care Partners


TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

Taking your daily medicines exactly as prescribed can help you stay healthy and avoid diabetes complications.

Never be afraid to ask a healthcare professional about medicines. If you're unsure about your medication, you may want to ask questions during your next provider visit, as such:

  • What is the name of this medicine?

  • What is it for?

  • What time should I take it?

  • How much of it should I take each time?

  • How should I take it?

  • Should I take it with food?

  • How long should I take it?

  • What should I do if I miss a dose?

  • Are there any side effects?

  • What should I do if I have a side effect?

  • Is it safe to take this medicine with another medicine I am taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or herbals?

  • What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?

WAYS TO REMEMBER TO TAKE MEDICINE

MEDICATION TIPS 

  • Take an updated medication list to appointments, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.

  • Take all medications before appointments unless your healthcare professional specifically asks you not to.

  • Tell your healthcare professional about any allergies or reactions to medicines.

  • If you recently had medication changes or were just discharged from the hospital, bring all medication bottles to your next medical visit.

  • Contact a healthcare professional if you experience side effects. They might be able to change the medication you take.

  • Do not stop taking medicine because you feel better. Talk with a healthcare professional before stopping any medications. 

TIPS FOR REDUCING MEDICATION COSTS

  • Ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist for ways to save money on prescriptions. 

  • DO NOT skip medication doses. You may put yourself at risk of experiencing side effects or complications like a heart attack.

  • Check chain stores for prices. The prices for many generics are often lower than the average health insurance co-pay.

  • If your medication comes in the form of scored pills, you might be able to save a lot of money by ordering a higher dose of pills and split them into the proper dosage.

 

  HOW CARE PARTNERS CAN HELP

If your partner is concerned about side effects:

  • Help your partner get more information. The information may help them be less worried, or they may need to talk to their healthcare professional about changing their medication regimen.

  • If your partner is experiencing serious side effects due to their medicine, recommend that they contact their healthcare professional as soon as possible.

  • If this issue is coming up repeatedly, your partner may want to discuss with it their healthcare professional.

If your partner is having difficulty keeping instructions for medications straight:

  • Talk to them about their medication questions. See if you have any information (for example, notes from a medical visit, or an after-visit printout) that helps them feel more confident that they understand their medication regimen.

  • Your partner's healthcare professional is eager to help patients understand their medication regimen. Suggest that your partner call their healthcare professional to get more information about how to take their medications.

  • If this issue is coming up repeatedly, your partner may want to discuss with it their healthcare professional.

If your partner is having difficulty keeping medications refilled:

  • ​Remember, keeping medicines filled and available can help avoid gaps in taking daily medications that help ensure that people with diabetes stay as healthy as possible. Your partner needs to refill their prescriptions regularly, so they never miss a dose.

  • Ask your partner if you can help them get their medication or supplies refilled.

  • Suggest that your partner write a note on the calendar to refill their medication two weeks before it will run out. It may also help to request a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply of routine medications or supplies.

  • Remind your partner to ask their pharmacist if there are other ways to refill a prescription, including by mail, phone, or website.

If your partner is concerned about medication costs:

  • ​Review medication costs with your partner to see if you can find ways to save.

  • Sometimes people are unsure whether to bring up concerns about medicine costs with their healthcare professional but they are eager to help. Your partner may be able to change to a lower-cost medication regimen or get help lowering medicine co-pays

If your partner is sometimes forgetting to take their medications:​

  • ​Help your partner make a plan to help them remember to take their medications. Some ideas include a calendar or log they can mark after taking their medicines, using a daily pillbox to help them keep track of whether they've taken their pills, and leaving the pillbox or pill bottles out where they will see them often.

  • Take medications at the same time as something they do every day (like brushing their teeth), so it becomes part of their routine.

  • If there is a certain time of day when it is hard to remember medications (for example, lunchtime or afternoon medications):

  • Set an alarm for the time of that dose. Most cell phones have an alarm function.

  • Suggest that your partner put some extra pills for that medication in a bag or jacket pocket so they have them if they are away from home.

  • Suggest they ask their healthcare professional if there is a way to change their medication regimen so they do not have to take medication at that time of day.

  • Review with them why they may be having trouble taking their medications and help them make a plan to address any concerns about their medication.

  • Remind your partner that medications used to treat sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart conditions all help avoid diabetes complications.

  • If this issue is coming up repeatedly, your partner may want to discuss with it their healthcare professional.

If your partner is unsure how to take their medications:

  • Talk to them about their medication questions. See if you have any information (for example, notes from a medical visit, or an after-visit printout) that helps them feel more confident that they understand their medication regimen.

  • Your partner's healthcare professional is eager to help patients understand their medication regimen. Suggest that your partner call their healthcare professional to get more information about how to take their medicines.

  • If this issue is coming up repeatedly, your partner may want to discuss with it their healthcare professional.