Taking your medicines in the right way helps make sure that you stay well or get better.
You should always use your medicine the way your pharmacist has advised and according to the instructions included with the medicine.
Top tips
- Take your medicine at the correct time and according to the instructions.
- Medicines are prescribed for you – it’s not safe to share them or take someone else’s.
- Don’t take medicines after the expiry date.
- Regular stable medication can be ordered online if you have internet access and you can save time by using the Electronic Prescription Service so you don’t have to go to your GP surgery to order and pick up the prescription.
- If you go into hospital, take your medicines with you.
- Monitor your medicines. Are they making you feel better or worse? Do you think you are experiencing side effects? If you feel worse or think they aren’t working, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
- Make sure you always have enough of the medicines you take regularly, especially at weekends, public holidays and when you are on holiday – but please do not stock pile them.
Visit the Medicine A-Z to find out how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to common questions.
Avoiding medicines waste
We know that a lot of medicines get wasted, which has a cost implication for the NHS locally. There are some simple steps you can take to reduce medicines waste and save the NHS money.
Do
- Tell your GP if you receive a repeat prescription that you no longer need.
- Order your medicines yourself and only order what you need.
- Take any unused medicines back to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
- Tell your GP if they have prescribed you too much medicine.
Do not
- Stockpile medicines, as they could go out of date.
- Dispose of medicines down the toilet or in the bin.
Your local pharmacy can help
Visit your local pharmacy if you’re unsure about your prescription, have any questions about taking your medicine or have concerns about its effects.
Advice from a pharmacist is free and you don’t need to make an appointment. Your community pharmacist can answer any questions you have about your medicine.
More about how pharmacies can help
Medicines use review
You can ask your pharmacist for a medicines use review if you regularly take medicines for a long-term illness, take more than one prescription medicine or have recently been discharged from hospital.
A medicines use review is a free, private appointment with a pharmacist, where you can talk about your medicines.
Appointments usually take place in a private consultation area at your local pharmacy, where you regularly get your prescription.
Your pharmacist will:
- Help you learn more about the medicines you’re taking.
- Spot any problems you may be having with your medicines.
- Make sure that your medicines work well for you – there may be easier ways to take them, or you may find that you need fewer medicines than before.
- Give you advice on what to do with medicines you don’t need anymore.
The pharmacist will send your doctor a report of any suggested changes to your prescription.
Find your nearest pharmacyIf you take multiple medicines
Remembering to take your medicine at the right time can be difficult if you have several medicines to help with more than one health problem.
Your pharmacist can help you.
One solution is using a multi-compartment compliance aid. This shows the days of the week to help you take your medicine on the correct day and at the correct time. It also allows your family, carer or health professional to make sure that you’re taking your medicines correctly.
Other aids include reminder charts, dose record charts, or medicine labels with larger writing to make it easier for you to read the instructions. Your pharmacist can help you decide what’s best for you.
Medicines packaging
Sometimes the medicine that you order will come in packaging that’s different to what you’re used to. This is because some medicines are made by more than one company.
The medicine will be the same and will be equally effective, even though the packaging and name may be different.
If you’re worried about your medicines, talk to a pharmacist.