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Are You Taking Your Medications Correctly?

When it comes to taking your medications, how would you answer the following questions?

Have you:
  • Skipped doses of medication?
  • Taken a double dose of medication?
  • Taken medication at the wrong time?
  • Stopped taking medication without speaking with your health care provider?
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you may be putting your health at risk. Taking your medications correctly is known as “compliance” with your drug regimen. Compliance is key to helping you avoid complications.

Talk it over with the prescription pros
The American Heart Association strongly encourages patients to talk with their doctors and pharmacists about the prescription drugs they’re taking. These professionals can help you avoid problems such as taking too little or too much of your medication, which could lead to dangerous interactions with other medications or the foods in your diet.

When you meet with your doctor or pharmacist, don’t be afraid to ask questions—they want to help you! Some examples of questions you can ask include:
  • What’s the name of the medicine? Is this the brand or generic name?
  • What’s the medicine supposed to do?
  • How and when do I take it, and for how long?
  • What foods, drinks, other medicines or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
  • What are the possible side effects? What should I do if I have them?
  • Can I get written information about the medicine?
Take an active role in your treatment plan
When you take your medications exactly as prescribed and follow the lifestyle recommendations, you can help reduce your risk of serious complications. You’ll also want to be an active part of your health care by contributing to decisions regarding your treatment, following the drug regimen that you and your doctor agree on, watching for problems and discussing any concerns with your doctor. When it comes to compliance, you’re in control!














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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of: In Colorado: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. In Connecticut: Anthem Health Plans, Inc. In Indiana: Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. In Kentucky: Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. In Maine: Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. In Missouri: RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. In Nevada: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. In New Hampshire: Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. In Ohio: Community Insurance Company. In Virginia: Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. In Wisconsin: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin ("BCBSWi") underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation ("Compcare") underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare and BCBSWi collectively underwrite or administer the POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Serving residents and businesses in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Ohio, Wisconsin, Colorado, Nevada, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Virginia (excluding the city of Fairfax, the town of Vienna and the area east of State Route 123). Use of the Anthem Web sites constitutes your agreement with our Terms of Use.