Taking your medicine correctly

Medicine compliance is about making sure you follow medical advice correctly.

This includes taking your medicine as your doctor recommends – the right medicine, the right dose, at the right time and in the right way.

Tips on improving medicine compliance

It is helpful to try and form good habits when taking your medicine. Taking the right dose at the right time will mean the medicine has a better chance of doing its job of alleviating your symptoms.

Taking your medicine as prescribed

You may find it difficult initially to get into the habit of taking your medicine, so the following tips may help you:

Set an alarm on your phone/alarm clock to remind you to take your medicine
Keep your medicine in the original container, or if necessary in a special container – such as a “dosette box” – to help you remember which medicine to take and when to take it (these are available from your local pharmacy)
Medication diaries can be very useful. It might help you to write down not only each medication you take and how you take it, but also how it makes you feel. This may be useful for discussions with your doctor.

Possible risks & side effects

If you’re worried about possible side effects, or think you may be experiencing a side effect as a result of taking your medicine, then you should speak to your healthcare professional as soon as you can. They will be able to offer advice and support.

You should also let the manufacturer of your medicine know. All pharmaceutical companies, such as Teva, have a responsibility to monitor patients’ side effects, so if you believe you or someone you know is experiencing a side-effect caused by a Teva medicine, you should let us know here.

Where to go for advice

Doctor – the doctor or practice that has prescribed your medicine is available to answer medical queries.
Local pharmacist – they are qualified to speak to you about a broad range of issues, and offer wide ranging healthcare advice.
Medical Information – the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine will include the contact details of the company that supplied your medicine, and you are able to contact them for basic information on the treatment. However, they are not able to discuss your own personal situation with you, so it is always better to speak to your doctor, or nurse or pharmacist.