Are you juggling multiple medicines? Do you sometimes forget to take all of your medicines at the correct times? Do you wonder which over-the-counter medicines are safe to take when you have diabetes? Managing all your medicines when you have diabetes is very important for better health today and tomorrow. Your pharmacist and providers can help you understand your medicines.

How can pharmacists help you ask? On average, patients see their pharmacists up to seven times more often than their providers. Pharmacists are often available all day when your provider may not be. Work with your pharmacist to make a plan to manage your medicine.

Tips to manage your medicine…

1. Take your medicines as directed. Talk to your pharmacist or provider if you have difficulties getting or taking your medications.
2. Keep a list of all the medicines you take, and give your pharmacist and all of your health care providers a copy. Be sure the list includes:
   • Medicines your provider has prescribed for you.
   • Vitamins and herbal supplements.
   • Over-the-counter items, like aspirin, other pain medicine, or cold medicines that you can buy without a prescription.
3. Tell your pharmacist about anything new you learn after visiting your dentist, eye doctor, foot doctor, or another member of your health care team.
   • Tell your pharmacist about any new health problems.
   • Share new test results with your pharmacist.

How can Medicine Help Your Diabetes?

• Medicine can help to control your diabetes and blood sugar. Blood sugar that is too high or too low can cause problems with your teeth, eyes, and feet, as well as other serious health problems.
• Many people with chronic (lifelong) diseases like diabetes do not take their medicines correctly. This puts them at risk of more serious health problems.
• There are more than 30 different medicines for diabetes. They can be taken by mouth, needle, or pump.
• People with diabetes may need many medicines at once to help them. Providers choose medicines to best meet people’s diabetes needs.
  If you or a family member would like help managing your medications please talk to your pharmacist or call Community Health at 715-478-4355.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep/pdfs/toolkits/working-together/152-all-medicines-matter.pdf