PATIENTS > Medication advice > Know how to take your medication

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Most medication should be taken at the same time each day. This will reduce your risk of forgetting a dose and ensure you receive the most benefit from your oral anti-cancer medication.

Some tips to consider:

• Take your medication at the same time you perform routine tasks including brushing your teeth and readying yourself for bed.
• Set an alarm on a watch or cell phone as a reminder to take your medication.

How to swallow your medication

Most oral anti-cancer medications should be swallowed whole and taken with water unless your doctor has offered different instructions.

Be sure to ask your doctor if these precautions pertain to you:

• Many pills should not be broken, cut or crushed because they lose effectiveness.
• Be careful, especially if the capsules are accidentally opened or damaged
• Some oral cancer medications should neither be allowed to touch your skin nor mucous membranes (including nasal passages) because they can prove irritating

If you are having difficulty swallowing your pills, consider these tips:

• Place the pill on the tip of your tongue, drink some water, tilt your head back and swallow
• You could also place the pill on the back of your tongue, drink some water, tilt your chin down toward your chest and swallow
• Take a deep breath before placing the pill in your mouth; this could suppress the “gag reflex”
• Always sit straight when swallowing pills
• If you can take your medication with food, try applesauce, yogurt or pudding, and swallow both together
• Drink a glass of cold water as you swallow a pill

If these techniques do not work, inform your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Food’s effect on medication

Whether you can take your medication with food varies from one medication to another. Taking certain medications with food can reduce the risk of side effects. For other medications, food can increase your chance of developing side effects. A full stomach can determine how well your body absorbs medication. Some medications remain unaffected by food.

Information provided here does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional.