To get the best results from your medicines, it's important to use them as they are intended.

You need to:

• Take the right amount of medicine at the right times, in the right way and for the right number of days. 
• Get advice from your pharmacist or GP if you are having any side effects that bother you.
• See whether your medicines are making you feel better or worse. If you're worried, tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.   
• For medicines you have to take regularly, make sure you always have enough, especially at weekends, public holidays and when you're on holiday.

For further information and advice see the NHS Choices page on Making Sense of your medicines.

If you are caring for someone taking medicines there is an NHS Choices page Medicines: tips for carers

Information about aids and equipment which can help you manage taking your medicines can be found from the Equipment and Technology page.

Information about what constitutes clinical waste and how to dispose of it, and more generally returning unwanted medicines can be found at Clinical waste

For information about psychiatric medication, which includes all drugs which can be prescribed to treat different types of mental health problems, or to reduce the symptoms, visit the Mind website pages on Psychiatric medication