Taking your meds every day and on time is one of the most important things you can do to keep your transplanted organ healthy. Some meds prevent your immune system from attacking your transplanted organ (anti-rejection medications) or they help protect you from getting infections. Other meds keep you healthy (like vitamins) or are used to treat side effects like high blood pressure or low magnesium levels. They all matter — a lot!
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Why Timing Matters
Most anti‑rejection meds are taken every 12 hours, around the same time each day. This keeps a steady amount (level) in your bloodstream so the medication – like tacrolimus - can do its job and protect your transplanted organ from rejection. Having a routine for taking your meds really helps! But if something happens and gets you off schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s too close to your next dose, call your transplant coordinator for advice. Your coordinator will let you know how to fit in the missed dose or if you should stay on your normal schedule. Your transplant team might check your blood levels a couple times to be sure everything is back on track.
Missing meds happens sometimes. What matters most is being honest about why it happens so you can find ways to make it easy to take your meds every day and on time.
Reasons I might miss taking my transplant meds (Check all that apply)
Reasons why teens may miss taking their transplant meds:
☐ I forgot or lost track of time.
☐ My routine changed (late night, sleepover, travel, weekend).
☐ I didn’t have my meds with me.
☐ I ran out of meds or forgot to refill them.
☐ I was busy with school, sports, friends, or activities.
☐ I was tired of taking meds every day.
☐ I felt fine and thought skipping once or twice wouldn’t matter.
☐ I don’t like the side effects.
☐ I didn’t want other people to notice or ask questions.
☐ I wanted to feel more “normal” like my friends.
☐ I don’t really understand what the meds do.
☐ I felt stressed, overwhelmed, or down.
☐ I was relying on someone else to remind me.
☐ I thought missing just one dose was okay.
☐ My meds cost too much.
☐ I have trouble getting to the pharmacy on time to pick up my meds.
☐ Something else got in the way: _______________________
Tips for Success!
Know Your Meds
- You should know: the names and doses of all your medications, why you take them, and what time you take them.
- Keep an updated med list somewhere you can always find it - like on a med app, or having a photo of your list on your phone, or a paper copy in your wallet or backpack.
- Take more responsibility for your meds as you feel more confident, but don’t be afraid to ask a caregiver, a support person, or your transplant team for help.
- Talk to your team about possible side effects of your medications (like headaches, muscle cramps, tiredness). Talk to them about what to watch for and what to do if you think your meds are causing side effects.
Stay on Track
- Pick a schedule that works for you. Your doses of anti-rejection medications should be about 12 hours apart - choose the best times that fit into your day. Although 7 AM and 7 PM works for many teens, others might prefer 11 AM and 11 PM – it all depends on what’s right for you.
- Keep track of when you miss doses. It helps to understand why you are missing doses so you can adjust your routine.
- Be sure to have contact information for your pharmacy and know how to get refills.
- Life happens. If you’re struggling to take your meds every day – for whatever reason - reach out to your transplant team for help. Team members, like your social worker, pharmacist, or transplant coordinator, are there to help you figure it out.
Strategies to Stay on Track (Check all that work for me)
☐ Use a pillbox.
☐ Check off doses from my med list after I take them.
☐ Keep track of taking my meds with a medication app.
☐ Take my meds at the same time I do something else – like eating breakfast or dinner, brushing my teeth, or at bedtime.
☐ Have a routine for taking my meds on school days and weekends.
☐ Have a plan for when my routine changes - like when I travel or for sleepovers.
☐ Set an alarm or reminder on my phone.
☐ Use visual reminders like sticky notes, a calendar, or checklist.
☐ Get reminders from a caregiver or friend.
☐ Understand why my meds are important.
☐ Keep my pillbox in the same place so it’s easy to get them.
☐ Something else that helps me: ______________________
Taking your transplant meds every day helps protect the organ that keeps you healthy—even on days you feel totally fine. It’s normal for this to feel hard sometimes, and you’re not alone in that. Each dose is a way of taking care of yourself so you can keep doing the things you enjoy and reach your goals. And whenever you need help, your caregivers, family, and transplant team are always there for you.
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