Medication Tips
Medication needs vary for each person. Your doctor will work with you to find the best medications to relieve symptoms, improve the heart failure condition, and improve your sense of well-being. Remember, medications are intended to reverse or help prevent the processes that make heart failure worse. Medications improve your symptoms, but they cannot cure heart failure. Even if you do not have symptoms, some heart failure medications must be taken daily to prevent your heart muscle function from worsening. Taking your heart failure medications as prescribed is one of the most important things you can do to manage your heart failure.
- Know the names of your medications and how they work. Know the generic and brand names, dosages and side effects of your medications. Always keep a list of your medications with you.
- Take your medications as scheduled, at the same time every day. Do not stop taking or change your medications unless you first talk with your doctor or nurse. Even if you feel good, continue to take your medications. Stopping your medications suddenly can make your condition worse.
- If your condition does not improve or becomes worse, call your doctor or nurse.
- Have a routine for taking your medications. Get a pill box that is marked with the days of the week. Fill the pill box at the beginning of each week to make it easier for you to remember.
- Keep a medicine calendar and note every time you take a dose. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose, but your doctor may change your dosage periodically, depending on your response to the medication. On your medication calendar, you can list any changes in your medication dosages as prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not decrease your medication dosage to save money. You must take the full amount to get the full benefits. Talk with your doctor or nurse about ways you can reduce the costs of your medications. Do not take more or less of the medication than your doctor prescribed.
- Do not take any over-the-counter drugs, nutrition supplements or herbal therapies unless you ask your doctor first. Some drugs such as antacids, salt substitutes, decongestants (such as Sudafed and Afrin) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen such as Advil, Genpril, Indocin, Medipren, Midol, Motrin, Nuprin, Pamprin, PediaProfen and Rufen) can worsen heart failure symptoms or interfere with the action of certain heart failure medications.
- For relief of aches, pains and/or fever, take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Motrin or Advil
- If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses to make up for the dose you missed.
- Regularly fill your prescriptions and ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. Do not wait until you are completely out of medication before filling your prescriptions. If you have trouble getting to the pharmacy, have financial concerns or have other problems that make it difficult for you to get your medications, let your doctor or nurse know.
- Throw away old medication after the expiration date has passed.
- When traveling, keep your medications with you so you can take them as scheduled. On longer trips, take an extra week’s supply of medications and copies of your prescriptions, in case you need to get a refill.
- Don’t share your medication with anyone.
- Before having surgery with a general anesthetic, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist in charge what heart failure medications you are taking. You may need to take an antibiotic before your surgical or dental procedure.
- Follow the label directions on how often to take this medication.
- Do not stop taking your medication, even if you feel that it is not working.
- Some medications may alter your heart rate, so you may be asked to take your pulse.
- Medications that relax constricted blood vessels may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness when standing or getting out of bed, sit or lie down for a few minutes. This will increase your blood pressure. Then get up more slowly.
- Ask your doctor or nurse if you need to take an effective form of birth control or if you need to stop breastfeeding while taking certain heart failure medications. Some medications may cause birth defects or other problems if taken during pregnancy.
- Keep all scheduled appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so your response to medications can be monitored.
About Diuretics
- Diuretics ("water pills") increase your urine output. If you take a single dose of diuretic each day, take it in the morning. If you are taking two diuretic doses each day, take the second dose in the late afternoon (around 4 p.m.) so you can sleep through the night.
- Diuretics ("water pills") can cause dehydration (excessive loss of water). Signs of dehydration are: dizziness, extreme thirst, dryness of the mouth, less urine output, dark-colored urine and constipation. If these symptoms occur, do NOT assume you need more fluids. Call your doctor or nurse if these symptoms occur.
If you need more information, click here to contact us , chat online with a nurse or call the Heart and Vascular Institute Resource & Information Nurse at 216/445-9288 or toll-free at 866/289-6911. We would be happy to help you.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 3/06
