Making sure your body receives medication at the right time and in the correct dosage is important. However, some situations may make it challenging to do so.
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If you have a loved one coming home from drug rehab, you need to keep them from accessing substances that may trigger them to go back to harmful habits—including your prescription pills. To support their recovery, you may need to carefully track and store all of your medications in a secure location. In some cases, people who are recovering from substance use disorder may need to take medications to treat chronic health issues. Using a tracking system helps ensure that they are taking the correct medications according to prescription.
On the other hand, you may have experienced forgetting to take your medication or not being able to recall if you took them already. Such instances may make your physician’s treatment plan ineffective. Whichever your situation may be, staying on top of your medication schedule will benefit your well-being.
Know the Medicines You Take
It’s always good to take stock of your current medication by creating a master list. In this list, make sure to include the names and recommended doses of all prescription drugs, over-the-counter pills, and dietary supplements you are taking. It’s also a good idea to place your doctor’s name, the drugs’ possible side effects, and any other relevant information on the list.
This master list of your medicines may be helpful when visiting your physician, so you can easily discuss any concerns with the medications you are taking. Remember, keep the list updated whenever there are changes in the dosage or prescription. Also, you may want to leave copies of the list with your family members in case of an emergency.
Keep Your Pills Organized
Storing your daily medication in a pillbox with several dividers is a good way to create a manageable system. Whether it’s a small container with few compartments or a large one with multiple slots for a week’s worth of medication, a case for all your medications can be really handy. But don’t transfer your medications into the pillbox all at once. Keep a few medicines in their original containers, so you can quickly refer to the labels for safety instructions.
Alternatively, you may also use an automated pill dispenser. Some of these dispensers feature a monitor where you can receive alerts and calls to remind you when it is time to take your daily medication. These modern pillboxes have compartments that stay locked until it is time to access the pills, which helps prevent taking the wrong pills by accident. The locks are also a great way to secure all drugs and keep them away from children’s reach.
Although these pill dispensers are perfect for those who want to help elder relatives manage their daily medications, people in recovery can also use this to responsibly track their medication. Some people who are recovering from substance use disorder may need prescription drugs to help treat chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. If they attended a Fort Myers drug rehab center and now live across the United States, they may benefit from having an electric pill dispenser that allows them to stick to their medication schedule and have their progress remotely monitored by a caregiver.
To remember your dosage for the day, place your pill case or dispenser where you will be reminded to take your medicine. For example, if you need to take some pills after your meals, make sure to put your container near where you eat.
Sign up for Online Pharmacy Services
Discovering that you have run out of medication right when you need to take them can make for a bad situation. To prevent this from happening, you may want to consider getting a mail-order service for your medicine refills or to subscribe to an online pharmacy for your monthly prescription drugs.
There are many online services you can sign up for to ensure that you take your medicines every day. These kinds of services deliver a month’s worth of medication to your home in individually wrapped plastic packages according to your daily dosage. Some of them also offer to do the dosing for you. In addition, these online pharmacy services contact your physician to confirm your medication schedule, so they stay updated on any changes with your prescription. All you have to do is to pay close attention to the label so you take medication according to schedule.
Establish a Routine
Some people tend to be forgetful and need extra help with remembering when to drink their medicines. If you are one of them, you may want to create a daily routine or schedule that includes taking your medications. Set an alarm so you take medication at the same time every day, or drink them right after doing certain activities. A common practice is taking medication together with your meals.
Another option is to use smartphone apps that are designed to remind you to take your medication. Some of these apps can also help manage medication regimens for several people, making them a great aid for families. You can create multiple profiles that can track individual prescriptions, and set up reminders for when it’s time to purchase refills.
Needing to take daily medication has its challenges. You may be recovering from substance abuse or have trouble remembering to drink your medicines on time. Try making use of different tools and services that make it easier to track your medication. Whatever solution you use, what’s important is you follow your physician’s recommendation and continue your treatment to remain healthy.