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Monitoring Your Medicines

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Topic Overview

You may wonder, "Why would I need to have tests to check on medicine that's meant to help me?" Your doctor may want you to have tests to be sure that the medicine isn't harming you and that you're getting the right dose. Sometimes the amount of medicine that helps you is very close to the amount that can cause harm to your body.

Monitoring your medicines helps you and your doctors to:

Be sure you are getting the right dose for your gender, age, and weight.
Be sure the medicine is working for you.
Avoid bad interactions with other medicines.
Avoid damage to your heart, kidneys, liver, or other organs.

Your doctor will likely let you know when you need to have the tests. If you think a medicine you're on should be monitored but you're not sure how long it's been since your last test, talk to your doctor. He or she can let you know if and when you need to be checked.

It's important to know how to prepare for the test, such as knowing when you took the last dose of the medicine for which you are being tested. Ask your doctor for instructions about the timing of the test.

Tell your doctor about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking and any drugs (such as alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine) you are using. Sometimes these can interfere with testing.

**Common medicines that are monitored**
Examples	What they do	Why monitor them	Tests you may have	How often
ACE inhibitors Examples: Benazepril Fosinopril Lisinopril	These medicines lower blood pressure, treat heart failure, and help prevent heart attacks and strokes.	They may affect how well your kidneys are working and the level of potassium in your body.	Potassium (K) in blood Creatinine or blood urea nitrogen	At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests
Angiotensin II receptor blockers Examples: Losartan Olmesartan Valsartan	These medicines lower blood pressure and help treat heart failure.	They may affect how well your kidneys are working and the level of potassium in your body.	Potassium (K) in blood Creatinine or blood urea nitrogen	At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests
Anticonvulsants Examples: Carbamazepine Phenytoin Valproic acid	These medicines help prevent or control seizures and help treat chronic pain.	It may take time and careful, controlled adjustments to find the right combination, schedule, and dose for you.	Blood test to check the drug level in your blood	At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests
Digoxin	It helps control heart rate and helps make your heart beat stronger.	When you start taking this medicine, you may need to have frequent blood tests to monitor the level of the medicine in your body. If your kidneys aren't working properly, the medicine can build up to a dangerous level. Also, the medicine may affect the level of potassium in your body.	Blood test to check the drug level in your blood Potassium (K) in blood Creatinine or blood urea nitrogen	At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests
Diuretics Examples: Chlorthalidone Furosemide Hydrochlorothiazide	These medicines reduce the fluid in the body and lower blood pressure.	They may affect how well your kidneys are working and the level of potassium in your body.	Potassium (K) in blood Creatinine or blood urea nitrogen	At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests
Statins Examples: Atorvastatin Lovastatin Simvastatin	These medicines lower cholesterol levels.	They can affect how well your liver is working. You may have other tests to see if the medicine is lowering your cholesterol.	Liver function panel	When you first start taking a statin, when your dose is changed, or as often as your doctor suggests

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: November 07, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.