Any type of surgery will take a tremendous toll on your body. While the procedure should address your condition, surgery is only the first step towards recovery. After you leave the hospital, it is necessary to get the right post-surgical care and stay on track with your medications. You can greatly reduce your risk of postoperative complications and hasten your recovery time by carefully following your medication instructions.
Knowing how to manage your medications safely will help you keep up with the post-op regimen. Here are several things you should know when it comes to medication management:
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Consult your nurse and pharmacist on your medicine regimen
Don’t leave the hospital without understanding what each prescription is for, what the correct dosage is, and what possible side effects you can anticipate. Make sure you ask for a copy of a prescription that you can use to refill your medication later. Some medications have contraindications, so be sure to clarify with your pharmacist how to administer each dose safely.
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Display your instructions
Recovery can leave you feeling weak and unable to think clearly. Whether you have someone to assist you with recovery or plan to convalesce alone at home, write out your medication instructions clearly, and display it prominently. Having easy access to the information can help you or your caregiver keep track, so you don’t forget important details.
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Keep your medication in a safe place
Your medicines need to be stored safely, away from direct sunlight and at room temperature, unless otherwise instructed. If you keep them properly, you can preserve their potency. Avoid keeping them in your restroom where plenty of moisture tends to accumulate. Place them in a container or cabinet and take them at the same time each day, every day. This way, you will always know where your medicines are.
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Refill before you run out
If you need to take your medication for several weeks or months, make sure you have enough for the entire duration. If purchasing them all at once isn’t an option, set a reminder to acquire them two weeks before your stash runs out. Delivery may be delayed, or supply may not be immediately available, so give yourself a buffer to order from a different pharmacy or supplier.
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Call your doctor in case of an adverse reaction
In the first few days of taking your medication, be wary of allergic reactions and side effects. Should you notice an adverse reaction to your medicine, don’t hesitate to immediately call your doctor or pharmacist. If you delay getting help, you can put yourself at risk or prolong the recovery period unnecessarily.
Overcoming surgery is only half the battle. The doctor can patch you up, but you will need to take an active and deliberate role in your rehabilitation. Follow the instructions carefully, and don’t neglect your prescriptions.
You can utilize technology like a medicine management app or calendar reminders on your mobile phone to help you keep on track. Call for help if you feel that your situation is deteriorating rather than improving.
When you take control of your post-operative care and manage your medications correctly, you will find that you will be back to your old self in record time.
Do you need help staying on course with your post-operative prescriptions? Try our medicine tracker app, a cloud-based medication management system that can support your rehabilitation process. Visit our website to learn more and get the help you need today.