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©2013 UpToDate ® Print Email Possible solutions to common problems with taking asthma medications Problem Solutions You were interrupted just before taking your medicine. If you put your medicine down you will be more likely to forget aboutit. So keep the medicine in your hand until you've taken it. You made a planned change in your usual routine and forgot. Think through your day ahead oftime and plan when you will take your medicines. Takeyour medicines with you. Attach a reminder to something you willbe using, such as your car keys. Your usual routine was unexpectedly changed and you forgot. Keep a small emergency supply of your medicines in your purse or car. You ran out of medicine. Use a calendar to remind you torefill medicines. Get prescriptions refilled several days before yourare due to run out. Keep a small emergency supply of your medicines.Ask your pharmacist to remind you to get a new prescription when you pick up your last refill. You felt so well, you forgot or decided not to take your medicine. Remind yourself that you are feeling well because you have been takingyour medicines. Establish the habit of taking your maintenancemedicines with activities you do every day. Place your medicines whereyou will see them easily and frequently. Have someone at home and workremind you that you need to take the medicine. You are confused about what, when, or how much medicine to take. Repeat medicine-taking instructions to your doctor. Read the directionson the prescription label. If you don't understand them, ask thepharmacist to write up a schedule for you. Call your pharmacist ordoctor and ask questions. Write down the exact instructions for takingeach medicine. Keep the instructions with your medicines. You became absorbed in an activity and forgot. Plan to take your medicines withactivities you do every day. Take your medicines with you. Place yourmedicines where you can easily see them. Have someone remind you totake your medicines. You are worried that if you take the medicine too much you will develop a tolerance to it and it will no longer work as well. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can develop a tolerance to themedicine. This cannot happen with most breathing medicines. Sometimes you just forget.

Plan to take your medicines withactivities you do every day. Take your medicines with you. Place yourmedicines where you can easily see them. Have someone remind you totake your medicines. You are worried that if you take the medicine too much you will develop a tolerance to it and it will no longer work as well. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can develop a tolerance to themedicine. This cannot happen with most breathing medicines. Sometimes you just forget. Use an alarm clock as a reminderor wear a watch with an alarm. Use apill dispenser. Keep prescriptions filled. Take medicines when you eat,brush your teeth or go to bed. Ask your doctor to make your medicineplan more convenient. Keep your medicine schedule in a handy place as areminder both at home and at work. The medicines are too expensive. Ask your doctor to prescribe generic medicines. Ask your doctor if hecan give you samples of your medicines. Compare costs from severaldiscount drug stores. Use your inhaler properly so that medicine is notwasted. You believe the medicine is not working. Keep taking the medicine until you can discuss this with your doctor.Remember, some medicines will not make you feel better immediately.They require long, continuous treatment to begin working. Some side effects are bothering you. Tell your doctor about any side effects. Ask your doctor about tryingdifferent brand names. If stomach upset is a problem, ask yourdoctor if you can take your medicine with meals or milk. You have difficulty taking medicines. Take pills with ice cream, juice, jello, or meals. Empty capsules intoa drink. Ask for liquid or sprinkle forms of medicines. (DO NOTCRUSH THEOPHYLLINE PILLS). Ask about long-lasting drugs.