Medication Management Made Easy
When you take more than one medication a day, it’s easy to sometimes forget to take a pill. In fact, practically everyone has missed taking a pill or two.
“The more medication you take, the easier it is to make mistakes,” said Michelle Bennett, Pharm D. BCPS, System Director of Retail Pharmacy for Penn Highlands Healthcare. “It is very important to organize and manage your medication so that you do not miss a dose or accidentally overdose.”
If you take medication or assist a loved one with their daily doses, you may find the suggestions below helpful.
Fill a pill organizer.
A pill organizer helps ensure you take all of the medication you need on a particular day. It can help you answer the question, “Did I take my medications today?” by grouping your pills together day-by-day. You can easily see if you have already taken the set of pills for the day, or if you still need to take them. There are many different types of pill organizers, so you should be able to find one that works for you online or at a pharmacy. Some have multiple compartments for different times of the day, while others can hold an entire month’s worth of medication.
List your medications.
While a pill organizer helps you remember to take all of your pills each day, it is important to actually include all of the pills you need every time you refill it. This is where the list is helpful. It will help to keep you organized if you make a list of all the medications you take, the purpose, the dosage and the frequency. You can also include information such as the prescriber, refill date and side effects. Keep this list where you store your medications, and when it is time to refill your pill organizer, use the list to make sure that none are forgotten. Your pharmacy or medical provider can also help you compile the list using your pharmacy or health record.
Follow a chart.
For some people, pill organizers may only be part of the solution to managing their medication. Charts are a great way to remember medications that may not be appropriate for pill organizers, such as those that require refrigeration. First, list all of your medications and the times they need to be taken. Then, display that list prominently at a site that you will see it every day. Once you take your medication, check it off on the chart. Whether you use a whiteboard or a simple sheet of paper to keep track, you will be able to see whether you have taken all of your medication for that day.
Set an alarm.
If you take medications multiple times a day, it can be helpful to set alarms on your phone to help you remember when it is time to take them. You can also use a medication management app, which will send you alerts directly on your phone or tablet. If you are not able to use those tools to remember, a simple wristwatch with alarm functionality is also helpful.
“It can be very stressful to sort and track your medications,” said Michelle. “But with simple organization, you can help yourself or others safely manage all of their medications. Your local pharmacist can help you find the right solution for your medication needs. Just ask!”
Penn Highlands Community Pharmacies offer convenient locations for you to fill prescriptions and buy over-the-counter medications and healthcare products – many are located in community medical buildings. The pharmacies are staffed by teams of experienced pharmacists that will help you and your family on your healthcare journey. To learn more, visit www.phhealthcare.org/pharmacy.