Categories: The Charlton Centre

The Importance of Adherence

Many people question taking their medication on a regular basis when their disease is under control.  When medication is working well, it is preventing flares of disease.  Each flare of an autoimmune condition can cause damage which is often irreversible.

Treating a condition well means we prevent it from spreading to more areas of the body.  Our advanced treatments for autoimmune disease control the condition but do not cure it.  Lifelong treatment of some type will be needed to control the disease.  So before you stop a therapy or decide to reduce the dose, speak to your specialist about the importance of  maintenance therapy.  People missing doses during a vacation or not wanting to carry their refrigerated product have often regretted this decision when flaring on their holiday.  We can provide travel notes and ice packs as needed, so always ask your pharmacist how we can help rather than miss doses of medication.  It is important to know that in the event that many doses are missed, your treatment may not be as effective when restarted.

Carolyn Whiskin is the Pharmacy Manager for Charlton Health.  Carolyn specializes in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, pharmaceutical compounding, women’s health, pain and smoking cessation. Carolyn has won provincial and national awards for her commitment to patient care and public service.

admin

Recent Posts

New Biologic Treatment for PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica)

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition that causes widespread joint and muscle pain along…

2 days ago

Expanded Protection: RSV Vaccine Now Approved for More Adults

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that can cause serious lung infections, particularly in…

3 weeks ago

Rinvoq: A New Oral Option for Giant Cell Arteritis

Health Canada has recently approved Rinvoq (upadacitinib) for adults living with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). Rinvoq…

1 month ago

World Arthritis and Mental Health Day: October 2025

Every year on October 12, World Arthritis Day raises awareness about the millions of people…

2 months ago

Tremfya: New Dosing Options for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Tremfya (guselkumab) has been available for several years to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.…

2 months ago

Happy Back-to-School!

This week, many will return to school, and it's no secret that the back-to-school season…

3 months ago