Updated on May 26, 2023.
Nearly half of Americans took one prescription drug in the previous month, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 12 percent of adults take at least five medications, and that number rises to 40 percent among those over the age of 65.
At the same time, 50 percent of Americans don’t take their medications as prescribed by their healthcare providers (HCPs). The CDC estimates that these lapses in keeping up with medication regimens contribute to 30 to 50 percent of chronic disease treatment failures and as many as 125,000 deaths per year in the United States.
Americans forgo their daily medication routines for many reasons, reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including:
- Forgetfulness
- Failure to understand the directions
- Numerous medication regimens to follow
- Unwanted side effects
- Cost
- Perception of effectiveness
It’s important to take your prescribed medications and to take them as instructed. if you have trouble remembering how much medication you need to take or how frequently you need to take it, these solutions will help you establish a routine. Just remember that some medications must be taken at certain times of the day, with food, or on an empty stomach. You’ll want to make sure you adhere to the medication guidelines that come with your prescriptions.
Keep a record of the specifics
In order to properly manage your medications, keep these points in mind:
- Keep track of everything you’re taking
- Know when you’re supposed to take your pills
- Know how often
You may want to keep your medication’s information packets in a folder or write out the specifics in a journal, app, or computer document. Many experts recommend that you carry a list of your current medications in your purse or wallet, as well.
Do make sure you understand the timing of the medications, storage details, dosage specifics, and any side effects that may accompany the medication. Always consult with your pharmacist or HCP if you have questions about when to take your medications. Once you understand the specifics of your medications, these tips can help you stay on track.
Use technology
Whether it’s an Excel file on your computer, or a free app like Sharecare (for iOS and Android), it’s imperative you find a tool that will help you stay organized. Sharecare allows you to input the exact medication you take each day and how often you need to take it, and then prompts you to check off each dose as you take it.
Find a method that works for you and get in the habit of recording which medications you take and check them off each time you take them.
Store them in a pill box
Pill caddies are labeled and compartmentalized by day of the week, and in some cases the time of day (morning, afternoon, and evening), and they make it easy to store all of your pills.
Investing in these inexpensive pill organizers can help you keep track of what you’ve taken and what you still need to take each day.
Set aside some time each week to load your pill boxes with the medications you need. Not only will you be able to keep track of your daily meds, a pill box will also prevent you from having to carry around individual bottles.
It’s a good idea to display your pill box somewhere you’ll see it, like your kitchen or bathroom counter.
Set an alarm
Another way to make sure you’re getting all of your medications is to set an alarm on your watch, phone, or other device for each time you need to take some sort of pill. If you’re able to label the alarm, tag it with the name of the medication so you know what to take, when.
Write them in your calendar
Schedule a reminder on your phone, wall calendar, or online calendar. Simply write down the medications and the times to take them. It might help to cross them off as you take each dosage. You can also go the old-fashioned route: Purchase a page-a-day calendar and rip off the day's page after you've popped your pills.
Try sticky notes
Tried-and-true sticky notes can be great reminders, too. Post them in the bathroom, kitchen, or other common areas of the house where you’re likely to see them.
Flip the pill bottle over
If you’re having trouble remembering whether you’ve taken your meds or not, get in the habit of flipping your pill bottle or box over each time you've done so. If the caddy or bottle is right-side up, that means you’ve yet to take it, and if it’s upside down, that means you’ve taken your dose for the day. And remember, always be sure the top or lid is screwed on tight.
Another novel way to keep track is to take your medicine a different way each day. For example, one day you might put a pill in your mouth while crossing your arms. On another day, place your hand on your head when you swallow. It may seem silly, but each unique action can help you distinguish one pill-popping session from another.
Pair it with another task
Regardless of your medication schedule, you may want to take it while doing another everyday activity that you’re not likely to forget. Try taking your medication around the same time you:
- Brush your teeth
- Read the paper
- Eat a meal
- Take a shower
- Get in bed at night
(Just be sure that the other activity is not so diverting that you forget to take your pills!)
Stay organized when traveling
When traveling, make sure you always bring the medications you’ll need for the duration of your trip, plus a few days extra in case you’re delayed returning home. Pack your medication in your carry-on luggage in case your bags get lost or delayed and to prevent any alterations to your medications, which can happen in extreme hot or cold temperatures.
Communicate with your healthcare provider
No matter what your routine is, make sure you talk with an HCP about all of your prescriptions.
How frequently you visit the HCP might depend on different factors, including your health conditions. The FDA recommends you discuss each prescription medication at every visit. Your HCP can determine whether the medication is working, whether you still need to take it, and if there are certain lifestyle changes (like lowering fats in your diet or exercising) you can make to reduce the amount of medication you need.
Make sure to discuss the following with your HCP:
- Every prescription medication you’re taking
- Any supplements you’re taking
- Any side effects you’ve experienced
- Any changes in mood, eating habits, or medical history you’ve noticed
- Cost and financial assistance options for your individual medications
When your HCP prescribes a new medication or changes a prescription, make sure you get a good explanation of why and how to take it. And remember, it’s important not to stop taking any medication without talking with your HCP first. Doing so may cause serious side effects or harm.
Taking medication is often a necessary part of life, so staying organized and on top of your prescriptions is the key to managing health conditions and staying healthy. But remember, in addition to taking medications, healthy lifestyle choices—like a well-balanced diet and a regular fitness routine—are important, too.
