Problems managing medicines or Problems managing medicines or treatments?other treatments? Problems managing medicines or treatments?

There are a number of products and services designed to help you manage medicines — for yourself or someone else if you’re a carer. You can also ask your doctor, pharmacist or other health professional for advice on how to get the greatest benefit from your medicines and other treatments.

Keep track with a Medicines List

A Medicines List helps you keep a record of your medicines, including the names of each medicine and other important information like what it’s for, how much to take or use and when. This list can be updated whenever a new medicine is started or the dose or schedule changes. Using a list can help you get the most out of a consultation with your doctor or pharmacist.

Order or download your free Medicines List or Medicines List iPhone app.

Use a dose administration aid

Dose administration aids are containers that can be used to place pills into different compartments based on their dosing schedule. They can help ensure that the right medicine is taken at the right time. You can buy them at a pharmacy and fill them yourself, or a pharmacist may be able to do this for you.

Plan a Home Medicines Review

If you or someone in your care takes more than 5 medicines a day, is concerned or confused about medicines or is recently out of hospital, ask your GP about organising a Home Medicines Review. This involves a pharmacist going through each medicine with you in your home, then making suggestions to your GP that may help manage your medicines better. They may suggest different medicines, different doses or ways to manage troubling side effects.

Find out ways to cut medicine costs

If you're having difficulty paying for medicines talk to a doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking something. They may be able to suggest ways to reduce your costs without compromising your health. You may be able to choose a different brand of medicine that costs less, or receive medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for free or at a lower price if you’ve spent over a threshold amount . Your GP can also review your medicines to identify any that are no longer needed or should be stopped and which ones you really need to keep taking.

Set realistic goals and check progress regularly

It’s normal to have days when you slip up or it all becomes too hard. Don’t let this stop you from sticking to your treatment. A health professional can advise and support you in achieving lifestyle changes and other treatment goals. For instance, with lifestyle changes such as diet or exercise, it may be better to make a series of small changes that you’re more likely to stick with long term rather than making drastic changes.

You can also stay motivated and gain a sense of achievement by monitoring your progress regularly. There are various tools available to help you do this. For example, the Managing My Heart Health: At a glance card allows people at risk of heart disease to record their goals and how well they’re tracking against them each month. 

See more tips on ways you can manage medicines.