Heart failure: Medicine tips

Taking your medicines as prescribed is vital to treating your heart failure. Medicines will help you live longer, breathe easier, have more energy, have less swelling and help you stay out of the hospital.

Your health care provider may start your treatment by prescribing one medicine, then changing its dose and adding other medicines later. This will depend on your symptoms and your responses to the medicines.

Sometimes, treatment begins with two or more medicines. It may take many days or weeks to find the right doses and/or combinations of medicines. This will take patience as you and your health care team work together to find the right medicines and doses, and the best time of the day to take the medicines.

Below are general medicine do's and don'ts. For questions or concerns about your health, please talk with your health care provider.

Do's

If you miss a dose of medicine, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember to take it until it is time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and return to your regular dose schedule. Do not double up on missed doses unless your health care provider tells you to do so.
Take your medicines about the same time each day to maintain a steady level of medicines in your body.
Store all medicines away from heat, light and humidity. (Do not store medicines in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink.)
Store all medicines out of reach of children and pets.
Have all of your medicines filled at one pharmacy.
If you are seeing more than one health care provider, be sure to tell each one which medicines you are taking.
Plan ahead for vacations. Be sure to have enough of your medicines.

Don'ts

Do not let your medicines run out. Keep at least a one-week supply. Call your pharmacy for refills one week before you need them.
Do not take medicines prescribed for anyone else.
Do not take more or less than the prescribed doses, unless your health care provider says it's OK.
Do not stop taking any medicine, unless your health care provider says it's OK.
Do not keep outdated medicines.
When taking certain medicines, drinking grapefruit juice may be harmful. Ask your pharmacist if this applies to you.

Bring your medicines with you to appointments

Put all of your medicine bottles/boxes into a plastic bag and bring it with you to your health care appointments. Include all prescription, over-the-counter, herbal and natural products.

Medicines can work against each other so your health care provider needs to know what you are taking.