Remembering to take medicine can be a challenge. I was taught that the average person remembers it 70% of the time! That is a lot of missed medication! There are helpful and easy ways to remember to take medications more frequently. In order to increase medication compliance try using a medication reminder app, weekly pill box, or pairing medication with an already established habit.
Depending on the medication you take, missing doses can have negative consequences for your health. For example, taking an antibiotic only 70% of the time can lead to the bacteria becoming resistant to that antibiotic so it will no longer work when you need it.
Medication Compliance: Get a weekly pill box
Taking medication can become a mindless activity. When done automatically it can be tricky to recall if you already had it. This leads to missed medication since most people will skip it instead of risking doubling-up.
Getting a weekly pill box can be helpful in this situation. If there is any doubt, you can double check your box. Having the ability to remind yourself if you have taken it will increase medication compliance.
Side Note: Keep medication SAFE
If you have children, or are bringing your medicine to a place where there are children, make sure to keep your medication safe. When medicine is put in a pill box it is generally no longer childproofed. Kids are curious and medicine can look like candy. Don’t risk it!
This medication box has a locking mechanism that will be a “deterrent” to children although it is safer if you keep the medicine in a childproofed pill bottle. You can also buy a locking medication travel bag or medication box and put the pillbox inside.
[amazon_link asins=’B003P4VZ4I’ template=’ProductGrid’ store=’drmelissawelb-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8a6146fe-53bf-11e8-8e1c-a15fac96437d’]
Medication Reminder: Pair with an existing habit
There are many things we do every day:
- Brushing teeth,
- Eating breakfast,
- Making coffee etc.
Pair taking medication with a daily activity you already do. This will increase the chance you remember to take it. Put it next to your toothbrush or have it sitting next to your coffee machine.
It takes time to develop a new habit so try piggybacking on a habit that is already in place.
Cut down on missed medication: Set an alarm or get a medication reminder app
You can set a daily reminder on your phone or watch. This can be as simple as setting a recurring alarm that will trigger you to take your medication.
Or you can use a FREE app like Round Health to remind you. I like this medication reminder app because not only does it remind you but it keeps track of how often you take it.
Here is what Round Health says about their app:
It provides subtle, persistent reminders that go beyond awkward phone alarms. By helping you set “reminder windows” tailored to your medicine and schedule, Round accommodates life’s unpredictable distractions and removes the stress of staying healthy.
Round features:
・Simple and intuitive interface to viewing all of your medications and vitamins
・Complex scheduling of various doses and schedules
・Tracking and taking of as-needed/PRN medications
・Apple Watch App and Complications
・Refill reminders for medications
・Persistent push notifications that remind you even if you forget or miss the first one
・Streak counting and historical viewing of previous days and months
・Refill tracking and reminders
・Specialized flow for birth control packs
Ways to remember to take medications
These are 3 easy interventions to help you cut down on missed medication. As simple as they sound they can make the difference between remembering 50% of the time or 95%.
Do you know what your medicine is, why you take it, and what it is supposed to do?
Looking for additional medication tips?
2 Reasons Your Antidepressant Doesn’t Work
8 Facts About Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
3 Easy Ways to Save Money on Prescription Medication
Don't pay full price for medication! Use one of my 3 favorite programs to easily look up your medication, find the cost, and go to the cheapest pharmacy. Save hundreds over retail and sometimes it is cheaper than an insurance prescription copay!
Great tips!
Out of curiosity, how do you counsel college students to remember stimulant pills while still keeping them safe from them getting stolen? I’ve told them to keep the main bottle in a locked box and only take out a week’s worth at a time to keep with their toiletries, but if there’s a question of safety from a dorm mate, I’m not sure what to offer. Remembering to get to the lock box every morning would be hard enough… for those with ADHD, even harder!
That’s a tough one. I discuss the practicalities of keeping their meds safe (and NO sharing! so don’t tell friends you take it or they may ask) more than remembering to take stimulants for college students. I think your advice is great to have the main bottle locked and only the week with toiletries. However, I also think if they use one of the apps to remind them that might also be helpful. They all have their phones with them everywhere!
One reminder to go over (with everyone and not just students) is that controlled substances need to be kept in their labeled container if they are transporting them somewhere (ie going to stay at a friends or going home for the weekend). They need to be able to prove the medications are their own and prescribed. I’m saying this as a caution–if they are bringing their weeks worth in a weekly pill box than maybe they should have the empty pill bottle thrown in their bag too in order to avoid any legal hassles.
We are always on the run, doing everything quickly which makes it easier to forget something. I know I’ve been taking medication and supplements for over 30 years for Bipolar, manic depressive disease whatever you want to call it, it needs attention. Yes I have chewed my birth control and swallowed my chewables. So…I make it a point to take my “cocktail” everyday at the same time from a pill box. In other words just take the time and realize that this is as important if not more than brushing your teeth! Give it the time it deserves for a healthy well being?❤️?
Yes! Thank you for your comment. It sounds like you have been able to create a successful routine.