FOLLOW MEDICATION DOS AND DON’TS
If you have been prescribed blood pressure medicine, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:
Medication Dos
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Do follow your doctor’s orders. Consult your doctor before stopping your medication or making any change in the dosage.
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Do stay informed. Make sure you know why a medication is being prescribed and what the side effects might be.
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Do follow instructions on the label. Take your medications exactly as prescribed. Unless it says to do so on the label, don’t cut, crush or chew your medication.
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Do set up reminders. Use a pill box and fill it at the beginning of each week. Digital tools can also be helpful: OptumRx has a free app available in the App Store and Google Play. You can list all your meds and set reminders to take and refill them.
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Do ask about generic drugs. They cost less and do the job just as well as brand name drugs.
Medication Don'ts
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Don’t share your medications. Your medications are just that—your medications. Sharing with others can risk your health, as well as the health of others.
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Don’t alter the dosage. Take the amount of your medication exactly as directed. No more, no less.
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Don’t try to save money by cutting back. Delaying a refill or decreasing the dosage or frequency isn’t a good way to save money. Instead, consult your pharmacist or doctor to learn about ways to reduce medication costs.
Get regular lab tests
While you are on high blood pressure medicine, it’s important your doctor orders routine lab tests to ensure there are no side effects that can impact your overall health. The lab tests check to see if your kidney and liver functions are within normal ranges. This is especially important if you have been taking high blood pressure medicine for a long time.