How do I remember to take my meds?
When you're on HIV meds, you're not
just taking a pill every night before
bed. You might be taking a whole bunch
of pills at different times in the
day. It's really easy to forget to
take a dose, or to take it at the
wrong time. Drug companies are now
starting to listen to people living
with HIV and are coming out with drugs
that are easier to take. Talk with
you doctor about your schedule and
he or she can prescribe you a drug
that is easiest for you to take.
Some people find it a drag to carry
around a whole bunch of pills wherever
they go. Some people feel embarrassed
about taking their meds in front of
people at school, work or when they're
out having a good time.
Here are some ideas from other HIV-positive
youth on how to remember to take your
meds…….
Tips to remember to take your
meds
- Get a stop watch and set it to
‘beep’ (set the alarm)
whenever you have to take your meds.
- Buy a 7-compartement medication
holder and put your meds in there.
- Buy a few 7-compartment dividers
& keep them in different places
so you always have your meds close
to you.
- Put little notes around the house
to remind you to take meds (so,
if you take meds first thing in
the morning put a note on your alarm
clock).
- Set the ‘reminder’ function
on your calendar/palm pilot.
- Get friends/family to remind you
(‘2 heads are better than1’).
- Write down on a calendar/daytimer
when you need to take your meds.
- Set your cell phone alarm.
- Text message yourself or get your
friends to.
- Take your meds during a time period
that you do something everyday (for
example every morning you leave
for school at 8 am – you also
take your meds.)
- Write a reminder on your hand.
- Buy a Program Beeper from your
drug store. This is a medication
holder that you can program to ‘beep’
when you need to take your meds.
- Mix ‘n match these ideas!
Use a couple at the same time….
If you're having a hard time remembering
to take your meds, you should know everyone
with HIV has this problem.
Talk to your doctor/nurse/counsellor:
they might be able to help you work
out a better way to take your meds or
they may put you on different meds that
are easier to take.
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