Stay on Track With Your Medications
Learn how taking your medications as directed can improve your health and prevent problems.
It’s happened to all of us. We get busy one day and forget to take our medication. We think, “No big deal, it's just one missed pill.” But the truth is taking your medications as your doctor prescribed is one of the most important things you can do for your health.
More than half of the medications given to people with chronic conditions are not taken as doctors recommend, according to the American Heart Association.*
Don’t Miss a Dose
Taking your medications exactly as prescribed is called medication adherence, and it plays a big role in keeping you healthy. If you have conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, your medications help control symptoms and prevent complications. Missing doses can cause your condition to worsen or make your treatments less effective over time.
Making It Easier to Stay on Track
Are you finding it hard to take your medications correctly? You’re not alone.
Most people struggle to take their medications as prescribed, especially when there are several to take throughout the day. It’s important to follow your doctor’s orders when taking prescription medications.
Here are seven easy ways to remember to take your medications as prescribed:
- Use a pill organizer: Preparing your medications in advance makes it easier to keep track and remember.
- Put medication where you can see it: Store your medications in a location you can get to easily but is out of reach of children or pets.
- Connect it to a routine activity: Take your medications at the same time every day. To help remember, take it at the same time you do a daily routine. For example, take your pills at breakfast, before brushing your teeth, or at bedtime.
- Set an alarm on your phone: Download a pill reminder app like Medisafe and Dosecast on your smartphone or tablet. It will alert you when it's time to take your medications. Or set a recurring, daily alarm to remind you.
- Buy timer caps for pill bottles: Put them on your bottles, and set the timers to go off when your next dose is due.
- Mark your calendar: Put check marks on the date if you’ve taken your medication, as a visual reminder. Mark the date you need to request a refill from the pharmacy to prevent running out of medication.
- Create a medication chart: Create a chart that tracks your daily doses. Mark off each dose as you take it.
Travel Tip
Bring enough medication for your entire trip, plus add extra in case you are delayed a few days. When taking a flight, keep medications in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost.
For more helpful tips on how to stay on track with your medications, visit our YouTube Link for an easy-to-follow video!
Why People Skip Their Medications
It’s important to follow your doctor’s orders, especially when taking prescription medications. Here are some common reasons people don't take their medications as prescribed:
- Failure to fill or refill a prescription
- Missing the dose either on purpose or by forgetting
- Taking a lower or higher dose than prescribed
- Taking an old medication for a new problem
- Taking someone else’s medicine
We want you to have the best possible health outcomes. If you are considering not following your doctor’s treatment plan for financial reasons, you may qualify for assistance. Want to learn more? Read our blog about Extra Help Paying for Medicare Prescription Drug Expenses.
Remember to ask questions about the medicine being prescribed, such as what side effects you may experience and how long you should take it. If you don’t like the side effects of a medication, be sure to tell your doctor. There are often different medications available that have the same treatment goal. But, never change your treatment without first consulting your doctor, either in person or by a quick phone call.
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Looking for more health tips? Explore our latest blogs for practical tips to make healthier choices and get the most from your Medicare benefits.
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