The Importance of Medication Adherence

From chronic conditions to acute illnesses, medications are a cornerstone of medical treatment, offering the potential to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and enhance overall well-being. Ensuring consistent and accurate adherence to prescribed medication regimens is fundamental to successful healthcare. Yet, it is a facet of medical treatment frequently underestimated or neglected. The importance of medication adherence cannot be overstated—it profoundly influences the effectiveness of treatments and directly correlates with health outcomes.

 

Let’s look at why taking your medication as prescribed is critical to your health and healing.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 20 to 30 percent of prescribed medications go unfilled. In half of these instances, patients do not adhere to the prescribed medication regimen. Alarmingly, non-adherence leads to treatment failure in 30 to 50 percent of chronic disease cases and results in 125,000 deaths annually.

 

There are plenty of reasons that medications are not taken as prescribed. Two common reasons are the high cost of medications, and when people start feeling better, they think they don’t “need” the medication anymore.

 

Here are Five Medication Rules to Follow: 

1.    Don’t skip or take half doses to save money. If paying for your medication is an issue, talk to your doctor about alternatives.

2.    If you forget to take your medication, don’t double up. A double dose can be dangerous and make you feel worse.

3.    Always finish the entire prescription or ask your doctor if it is OK to stop taking it.

4.    Never take someone else’s medication. You could be allergic or react adversely to a prescription not written for you.

5.    Learn about your medication’s interactions. Certain medications can have adverse effects or have issues with certain foods and alcohol.

 

Stick to Your Routine 

One of the hardest things about staying consistent with your medication is remembering to take it as prescribed. Here are a few tips to help you create a medication routine.

6.    Use a pill box to plan out your medication for the week.

7.    Set an alarm to remind you it is time to take each dose.

8.    Create a habit of taking medication with another daily routine, such as brushing your teeth.

9.    Refill prescriptions before you run out.  

10. Schedule routine appointments with your doctor to monitor your progress.

11. Plan ahead for travel. Bring your medication in your carry-on luggage with a few extra doses if you are delayed. 

12. Ask questions to make sure you understand the importance of your medication.

 

Trust Rogers Pharmacy 

Contact Rogers Pharmacy for all your medication and health questions. We have affordable, quality solutions for all your home healthcare needs. Reach out with confidence that our superior products and knowledgeable staff are ready to help you find the right solutions for your health needs. 

      

Stop by and see us at 125 East South Avenue in Maryville or call us at 660-562-2300.

 

______________________________________________________________________Source:

https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/the-importance-of-taking-your-medication-as-prescribed