Adherence and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

Home , Adherence (medicine)

800-813-HOPE (4673) [email protected] www.cancercare.org fact sheet T important in managingsideeffects. with your health care team is Maintaining good communication fit so that you feel comfortable. goal of treatment isto finda good you from staying onatherapy. The remove any obstacles that can keep them. Work withyour doctor to treatment effects andways to prevent your treatment to askabout potential health care team before beginning effects can bemanaged. Talk to your It’s important to remember that side and your dailyroutine pain can impact your quality of life retention, muscle cramps, andbone patient. Sideeffects suchas fluid severity; they can even vary witheach side effects that willvary intype and your therapy. Each drughasunique be difficult andmay lead you to stop effects. Effects from treatment can schedule istheconcern over side patients intaking theirpillson A majorbarrier for many CML Manage sideeffects taking your pills O Myel Adherence andChroni c S tr aking Y you can go thedistance. communication strategies so that staying onschedule, anddiscuss your pills, provide practical tips for sheet willaddress barriers to taking and new responsibilities. This fact medications, achange inroutine, your ability to follow atreatment plan,includingsideeffects from as amarathon, not asprint. There are many factors that may influence requires ongoing therapy, peoplewithCMLshouldenvision theirjourney and many are experiencing long-term remissions. Since CMLtreatment leukemia (CML) are managingtheirdiagnosis better thanever before, Thanks to advances inresearch, peoplewithchronic myelogenous ver ategie s for ogenous Leukemia(CML): c ome theChallenge our Pills and needs. for you based onyour preferences choose amethod that works best and dose. Whatever you decide, current medications by type, time, simple poster that lists allof your time to take your pills. Or, make a or computer to you alert that it’s an alarmonyour watch, phone, creating adosing schedule. Set To prevent missing adose, consider person’s memory. role inadherence by triggering a Routine also plays animportant dose ortaking incorrect medications. help reduce theriskof missing a your medications inapillbox may medicine inyour body. Organizing must maintain asteady amount of for atherapy to beeffective, you medication schedule. But inorder organized andstaying onadaily Some patients struggle withgetting Get organized s t (over) o Plan ahead Although a change to your daily routine could possibly throw your schedule off, by being prepared and planning ahead, you can take charge of your own health. Keep a log of your medications in your wallet or purse with your doctor’s contact information and the pharmacy where your prescription was filled. Leave a copy at home and make sure your family knows where to find the list in case of an emergency. If you are planning to go away on a business trip or on a vacation, check that you have enough medicine to last in case your return is delayed. If you notice that you do not have enough medicine and it’s too early to ask for a refill, talk to your CancerCare® Can Help pharmacist. He or she may be able to call your Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national insurance company and explain the situation on organization providing free support services and your behalf. information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our Communicating your needs comprehensive services include counseling and A major strategy in helping you take your pills support groups over the phone, online and in-person, on schedule is to maintain open communication educational workshops, publications and financial and with members of your health care team. Whether co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are you are having problems with side effects or provided by professional oncology social workers. feeling anxious about adhering to your treatment schedule, share your feelings with loved ones, To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or your doctor, or an oncology social worker. call 800-813-HOPE (4673). Facebook: facebook.com/cancercare If you are having trouble with your vision and are Twitter: @cancercare worried about taking your medicine as directed, talk to your doctor. Your pharmacy may also be able to help by printing larger labels if you let them know in advance. Remember, the people on your support team, including health care professionals and loved ones, are there to help you cope. By working together with them, you can manage your treatment schedule and enhance your quality of life.

This fact sheet has been made possible by a charitable contribution from ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.