Cardiac Medications

General Guidelines for Taking Medications

• Take Medication exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
• Know the name, amount, when to take, and side effects of each medication.
• Check with the doctor or pharmacist for specific instructions:
  • Whether the medication should be taken with meals to decrease side effects, such as nausea?
  • Whether the medication should be taken on an empty stomach, before or after meals, as food may decrease it's effectiveness?
  • Does four times a day mean taking the medication every six hours around the clock, or can it be taken just during the waking hours such as breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime?
• Never decrease the amount or stop taking any medication without consulting with the doctor first.
• Do not wait until the medication runs out to have the prescription refilled. Missing a dose may decrease the effectiveness.
• Be careful not to miss a dose. If a dose is missed, do not take double the prescribed dose at the next scheduled time. Check with the pharmacist or the doctor first.
• Do not take over-the-counter medications without first checking with the doctor or pharmacist regarding any interactions with other medications.
• Never take any prescription medication that has been prescribed for someone else.
• The patient may or may not experience side effects listed. Everyone reacts differently and has different levels of tolerance.
• Do not crush or chew medications that are sustained-released or enteric - coated. Swallow whole.