Dr. Fett--Timing Medications

[mommytoaprincess]

Hi Dr. Fett!
I was diagnosed with PPCM on 2/7/05 and have an EF of 40%(10% at diagnosis). Lately, I seem to have a case of memory lapse and keep forgetting to take my pills(listed under my name below) at the same time each day. My cardiologist told me to take them 12 hours apart but I forgot to ask him why. Would anything happen if I don't take them exactly 12 hours apart? I now have my alarm clock going off at the same time each morning and night so that I don't forget anymore.:)

[tabs]

Medication timings are the "ideal" to ensure that their is never a drop in the blood levels. Every 12 hours is the ideal, but in the hospitals (at least the ones I worked at) we used BID dosing which means twice a day. We used 0700 and 1700 (5pm) or 0700 and bedtime. I personnally take them at breakfast and bedtime. In the hospital we also were able to give the medication 1 hour before or after without an incident report.
Hope that helps, Twilah

[JAMESFETT]

Dawn, what your cardiologist is talking about is a goal, but what Twilah says is correct, and her designated hours serve the purpose admirably. You are in the same boat as all the rest of us--it is not easy to remember times to take medication. So when and if you can get down to once a day that will help, but if need two times a day, then the approximation of times will do just fine. Whatever works for you.

James