If you’re ever tempted to stop your medication, stop and think again. Medication compliance means taking your medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider. That also means taking medication:
- at the right dose every day
- at the right time
- at the right frequency each day
When you choose not to take your medication regularly, or if you accidentally miss a dose, you may put your health and even your life in danger.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30% – 50% of chronic disease treatment failures are the result of people not complying with their doctor or pharmacist’s orders.
Why People Don’t Comply
There are many reasons people fail to comply with taking medications as prescribed.
- Forgetting to take them
- Costs are an issue
- Feeling okay and may not feel it’s necessary to take them
- Don’t like side effects
- Medicine makes them feel worse
- Do not believe it is important to take them every day
- Do not believe medicine really helps them
Stay On Schedule with Medications
So what can patients and/or caregivers do to help keep medications on schedule in the right dose?
- Take medicine at the same time each day to form a habit.
- Write down a medication schedule and mark it off each day when medicines are taken.
- Keep medications in sight and in convenient location (but safe from children or pets).
- Use a pillbox/container to prepare medicines by day and time of day.
- Set a clock to remind you or your loved one to take medications.
- Discuss any side effects or concerns with your doctor rather than stopping medications.
- Talk to your home health nurse if you have one. She/he will be able to help you maintain a routine.
- If cost is an issue, talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional. There may be generic drugs that save money and some pharmaceutical companies offer help for patients who can’t afford medication. There also may be drug assistance programs available to you.
- Print out a free medicine record form from the FDA to remind you about taking medicine, and take it to your doctor with each visit. Click here for the form.
- Do not be tempted to buy lower cost drugs on the internet from unknown sources! Click here for more information.
It’s especially important to take all of your medications as prescribed – and that is critical for antibiotics too. Even if you feel better, infection and illness are not necessarily cured so take the entire antibiotic prescription.
Medication compliance is important for your health and it may save your life. Always discuss any concerns regarding medication with your doctor or healthcare professional.
HALLMARK HOME HEALTH CARE 