4 Tips To Take Your Medication Right
When I talk about medication compliance with my students, I always ask them to raise their hands if they have taken an antibiotic within the past six months. Several hands always go up. Then I ask “How many of you still have some of those medications left because you didn’t take all of it?” There are always a few hands left up. When I ask why, the most common response is, “I got to feeling better and I forgot to take a dose. Then I just quit taking the rest because I didn’t think it would do me any good any longer.”
The Pharmacy Times states “Pharmacists can improve a patient’s medication adherence by dispensing information beyond a drug’s label.” (Read the entire article here.)
There are many physical conditions which can be greatly improved by taking medication correctly – heart failure, diabetes, and bacterial infections, to name just a few. This means taking the correct dose at the right time of day, without skipping a dose. And most patients taking these medications genuinely do want to get better; they just have a hard time remembering to take their dose. Pharmacists and technicians can help by addressing patient behavior. They might ask about daily habits, where the medications are kept and organized, and how to tell if a dose has been missed.
If you know you have trouble remembering to take your medication as scheduled, here are some suggestions:
- Use a pillbox. Some will hold a week’s worth of medications, while larger boxes will hold up to a month’s worth.
- Set a reminder alarm on your phone.
- Keep your medications out on a counter where you will see them, instead of tucked away in a cabinet. Just be sure to keep them out of reach of children!
- Link your habits – take your medication while your coffee is brewing, or right before your brush your teeth at bedtime. This makes taking your medication part of your daily routine.
Remember, your medication is an important part of your health care, but it won’t do you any good sitting in the bottle!
What you said in the first paragraph is very true! It is very important that you finish all your medication even long after the symptoms of your illness are gone. This is especially important for those taking antibiotics. Thanks for the great read!
Wow..
You provide us such an great information about Medication.
It provide me much information.
Thank you for sharing this v valuable information.
My aunt’s health has taken a downward turn. She might be put on medication soon if she doesn’t get better. I know she’s worried about how she’ll be able to keep track of taking any medication she’s prescribed. I think she’ll appreciate learning about these tips, especially the one about setting an alarm on her phone.