When you have atrial fibrillation, it is very important that you take your medications exactly as instructed by your doctor. If you don't, your atrial fibrillation may get worse, another arrhythmia may develop, or you may need to be hospitalized.

Develop a system to keep track of when and how you take your medications.

• Simplify your pill schedule. Ask your doctor whether you can substitute longer-acting medications for shorter-acting ones. Longer-acting, once-a-day medications are easier to remember and easier to take.
• Use a daily planner that you post in a prominent place near your medicine cabinet. Take it with you when you travel. List your medication schedule on a daily planner that has spaces for hourly entries(What is a PDF document?) .
• Use a pillbox that holds a week's worth of pills. This may be especially helpful if you are taking pills every other day.
• Post reminders near clocks or on the bathroom mirror to keep yourself on schedule.

Ask your doctor for a clear explanation of the purpose of each medication prescribed and how it works. If you understand what you are taking and how it is helping you, it may be easier to stick to your schedule.

If your medications are expensive, the following may help you keep costs down.

• Ask your doctor whether less expensive, equally effective generic brands would be appropriate for you.
• Compare prices between several pharmacies. The cost of medications can vary widely from pharmacy to pharmacy.
• Consider using a mail-order or online pharmacy.
• Buy a pill splitter. Some tablets are available at double the dose and at the same or almost the same cost as lower doses. By splitting the larger dose, you can essentially get two doses for the price of one.
• Buy prescriptions in bulk, which also can save you money. Ask your doctor to write a prescription for several months' supply of medications that you take consistently. Mail-order services can often save you money on large orders.