Asthma: Overcoming Obstacles to Taking Medicines
Topic Overview
Asthma is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that may last throughout your life—you must treat it long term. Taking medicines and following a management plan can be difficult over a long period of time.
Taking daily medicines is often one of the hardest things to do. Here is a list of reasons people may not take medicines. Some possible solutions are listed too.
Reasons people may not take medicines and some possible solutionsReason you might not take your medicine | Possible solutions |
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Someone or something interrupts you when you are taking your medicine. | - Ask the person to wait a minute while you take your medicine.
- Don't put your medicine down. Keep it in your hand or on your lap. This way it remains in front of you, and you are less likely to forget about it.
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You make a change in what you usually do every day. | - Think about how the change will affect your medicine schedule. Make sure there is still a convenient time to take your medicine.
- Always take your quick-relief medicine with you.
- Ask a friend to remind you.
- Place a reminder someplace where you will see it, such as in your car or on a house key.
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Something happens during the day so that you can't take it. | - Always keep extra medicines in your car or on your person.
- Talk to your doctor about what you should do if you miss a dose. Can you make it up?
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You are out of medicine. | - Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how long your medicine will last, and use a calendar or day planner to remind yourself to get new medicine.
- Get your refill before your supply runs out.
- Ask your pharmacist to give you a phone call a few days before you need to refill your prescription.
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You feel good, so you don't take your medicine. | - Remember that you feel good because you are taking the medicine.
- Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time that you do one of your daily activities, such as when you eat or when you brush your teeth.
- Ask a family member or friend to remind you.
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You take many medicines, and you are not sure what to take or when to take it. | - Talk to your doctor or pharmacist and write down what he or she tells you, or ask that a calendar be set up for you.
- Use color-coding or "personalize" your medicine in a way that will help you take the right medicine at the right time.
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You just forget. | - Put a sign in the bathroom or on the refrigerator as a reminder.
- Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time that you do one of your daily activities, such as when you eat or when you brush your teeth.
- Ask a family member or friend to remind you.
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You don't think the medicine is working. | - Remember that some medicines do not help immediately but take time.
- Ask your doctor about tracking your peak expiratory flow. You may not notice a difference when taking your medicine, but your lung function may be better.
- Talk to your doctor.
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You are having difficulty using an inhaler or don't know how to use it. | - Get instruction on how to use an inhaler.
- Use a spacer with a metered-dose inhaler.
- Ask your doctor about medicines that do not require an inhaler.
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You have side effects or are worried about having them. | - Talk to your doctor about side effects you are experiencing or that you worry about. You may be able to try another medicine.
- If an upset stomach is a problem, ask your doctor if you can take the medicine with a meal.
- Remember that corticosteroid medicines are not the same as steroids that athletes sometimes abuse to increase their performances or the size of their muscles (anabolic steroids).
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You may not be able to afford the medicines and medical care that is needed to treat asthma. | - Get in touch with social services or religious groups about possible help.
- Get in touch with Medicaid, a government program that may be able to help you afford medicine and medical treatment.
- Talk to your doctor. He or she may have samples you can use.
- Contact the drug company or ask your doctor to do this. Some drug companies have programs that help people get medicine if they cannot afford it.
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Your mood or feelings may make it difficult to take the medicine. | - Have others remind you or gently encourage you to take the medicine.
- See your doctor.
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Credits
Current as of: October 18, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine
Current as of: October 18, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine