Tips to Make Refills Easier
Running out of medicine is a common problem. Some people run out because they have difficulty getting their medicines refilled. Or they may have problems getting to the pharmacy, such as feeling nervous about taking the bus to get to there. If you've ever felt this way, you may want to try these suggestions:
- Have your prescriptions filled through a mail-order pharmacy
- Ask a family member or friend to pick up the medicine for you
- Ask your case manager to help you plan what to do if your medicine runs out
Tip 1: Use a pharmacy that delivers your medicine
If you have a new prescription, you can bring it to the pharmacy to have it filled. If you don't want to go to the pharmacy, you can:
- Give your nurse the name and phone number of a pharmacy that will deliver your medicine to your house
- Ask your nurse to call in the prescription and ask them to deliver it to you. This way, the pharmacist can fill your prescription and you won't have to go to the pharmacy at all
Your prescription bottle has all the information you need to get your prescription refilled: the pharmacy's phone number, the name of your medicine, the prescription number, the number of refills you have left and your doctor's name. Write the refill date on your calendar. Count 5 days before that and mark that as the day to call your pharmacy for a refill. This will give the pharmacy enough time to order your medicine if it's not on the shelf, and fill your prescription.
Tip 3: Call the pharmacy before you pick up your medicine
Before you go to pick up your prescription, call the pharmacy to make sure it's ready. If your medicine is not yet ready, you'll know you will need to pick it up later and save yourself a trip.
Tip 4: If you have any kind of problem getting your medicine, call your case manager or a trusted family member or friend as soon as possible
This person can talk with your pharmacist and help you take care of the problem so you will not miss doses.
Tip 5: Don't skip doses if cost is a problem
Some medicines are expensive, and some people try to save money by skipping doses. Missing doses is a bad idea because there may not be enough medicine in your body to keep your symptoms under control. If you are worried about the cost of your medicine, speak with your case manager. There may be special programs that can help pay for your medicine. If you don't have insurance or a special program to help you pay for your medicine, speak with your doctor.
Getting the Right Medication
Patients prescribed ZYPREXA have sometimes been given the wrong medicine in error because another medicine has a similar name to ZYPREXA. Taking the wrong medication can cause health problems. ZYPREXA has introduced new packaging to help reduce these errors.
NOTE: To view or print PDF files, you must have Adobe® Reader®. Click here to download the free reader.
