Allergies. Sleeplessness. Medical problems. There was a time when we simply had to live with all of life's miseries. Today, however, modern science has provided us with the means to alleviate many of these problems, significantly improving the quality of life and even extending our life expectancy.

The challenge now is learning to manage these medications, along with the vitamins and supplements we take. Here are a few helpful tips to assist you:

Ask the Doctor
When your doctor prescribes a new medicine, ask questions about the drug. Why am I taking it? How will it affect me? It's a good idea to have the same conversation with your pharmacist. The more you know about your medication, the better you'll be able to deal with any difficulties that may arise.

Make a List
Maintain an up-to-date list of the names and dosages of your medications, including the over-the-counter drugs and any vitamins and supplements you take. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist are aware of them all; some drugs do not interact well with others and could lose their effectiveness. You should also give a copy of that list to a friend or loved one who can provide the information for you in the event of an emergency.

Read the Label
Read the labels on all of your medication and take exactly as directed. Never exceed the recommended dosage. If the label states "take with food," then certainly do so. If the label suggests the medication may cause drowsiness, take it easy for a while until you are sure you feel okay. Always remember to drink plenty of water to ensure the medication is completely swallowed.

Use a Container
If you take several pills at various times during the day, a container with segments for morning, daytime, evening and night can be helpful. This will help you to remember to take your medication and keep you on schedule. Some containers have segments for seven days. Once you load up the container you're all set for the week.

Lower Your Cost

• Plain Vanilla
  The cost of staying well continues to increase. However, there are some things you can do to help lower the cost of you medication. Ask your doctor to specify the generic version if possible. The generic drug will always be less expensive.

• Canadian Connection
  Many people have learned that it's possible to order their medication via mail order from a Canadian supplier. This can lower the cost dramatically.

• Two for One
  Another method for lowering the cost is pill splitting. Many drugs cost the same regardless of the size of the dosage. Ask your doctor if it's alright to split your medication. Certain time release pills and capsules can not be effectively split. If you take a 50 mg dose ask him to prescribe 100 mg. Then, using an inexpensive pill splitter, cut the pill in half and you're cost is also cut in half. A drug that has been costing $500 a year will now cost you about $250.