Keeping up with your daily medicines is a critical part of a plan to manage your chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It’s important that your family members or friends know what medicines you take every day and during an emergency. If you use supplemental oxygen, be certain they know your oxygen settings as well.
Keep a complete list of all your current medicines. This should include the medicines you take for COPD and any other health conditions. The list should include:
The name of each medication
What each medication is used for
What each medication looks like
The date you began taking the medication
The prescriber of the medication
The dose of the medication
Any special instructions
Take this list with you to each visit with your health care providers and ask them to help you keep the information accurate.
To help you track when you took your last dose and when the next one is due:
Use a daily calendar and write down the medications you need to take every day and the times you need to take them. Also include any medicines that you use as needed. Keep the calendar with your medicine and cross off every dose as you take it, and note when you needed to use your rescue or emergency medications.
Store one copy of the master list with your weekly calendar and carry the other in your wallet or purse.
Finally, work with your doctor to develop a COPD action plan. This plan will help you and your family manage your disease during both routine days and emergency situations. You can learn more about a COPD management plan at the American Lung Association.
