If you are taking multiple medications regularly, it is very easy for you to get confused, miss doses, or forget about your prescription completely! Unfortunately, this can have severe consequences for your health and well-being. Let's take a closer look at why medication compliance is so important and share a few tips from your local pharmacy in Powell, TN, to help you stay on track!
Is Non-Compliance a Big Issue?
If you know that you have been guilty of skipping medication or being inconsistent with your compliance, you are certainly not alone. The problem is far more widespread than you might think! It is estimated that around 50% of failed treatment plans can be attributed to non-compliance with prescribed medication. It is also believed that as many as 25% of hospitalizations are also linked to not taking medication as prescribed.
What Are The Consequences of Non-Compliance With Medication?
While skipping the odd dose of medication may not seem like a big deal, if you are regularly doing so, then it can start to have some severe consequences. Without taking your prescribed medication regularly, the symptoms of your condition are likely to worsen, bringing with it the possibility of increased healthcare costs or even death. It is also important to consider the side effects of suddenly stopping certain medications. Some drugs need to be tapered down slowly to wean your body off of them. It is always worth checking with your local pharmacy in Powell, TN, before discontinuing any prescription medication to find out the correct protocol for ending the treatment.
Tips For Staying Consistent With Medications
If you are struggling to keep track of your medication, here are a few tips from your local pharmacy in Powell, TN, that can help you to stay on top of your treatment and be in your best possible health.
- Set Alarms - If your non-compliance is due to simply forgetting to take your medication on time, setting alarms can be a great way to remind yourself. Most of us carry a phone at all times, making it easy to have a reminder on hand wherever we are. You can also use virtual voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Cortana to help remind you.
- Keep a Journal - Some patients find it helpful to track their medication and any symptoms they are experiencing in a daily journal. Not only is it a visual reminder of when to take your medication, but it can help you track any patterns in your symptoms. If you already keep a journal or diary, consider adding a daily medication tracker into the mix!
- Get into a Routine - It can be helpful to build your daily medications into your day-to-day routine. For example, keep your medicines with your toothbrush and take your medication before brushing your teeth before bed, or make a habit of taking them with your evening meal. Studies show that it takes around 30 days to form a habit so that this method might take some work at first!
- Use Pill Boxes - If your non-compliance stems from confusion over which medication to take at what time, you may find a pill organizer box useful, as you can separate out your medication by day and by am or pm. You can purchase one of these boxes at your local pharmacy in Powell, TN, if this helps you keep on track with your treatment plan.
Ask About Our VIP Program!
While these tips can be useful in improving your medication compliance, there is an even better solution available from your local pharmacy in Powell, TN. The VIP Pill Box program is designed to help you manage multiple medications easily - you can even include over-the-counter medications and supplements alongside your prescribed drugs if needed. With the VIP Box, your local pharmacy in Powell, TN, will pre-sort and organize all of your medications into an easy-to-open packet marked with the time and date it should be taken. Tear the packet off the roll and take the medication inside. Each easy-to-open packet is marked with a list of the medication it includes and a description of its appearance, so you can feel confident that the packet's contents are correct. If you need to take liquid medications, eye drops, or inhalers, we can also include a reminder slip for these items that wouldn't fit inside the packet! Keeping on top of your medication has never been easier! We can package a whole 30-day supply in your VIP Box and include a reminder to reorder when you are nearing the end of the roll, making sure you never run out. If this sounds like the solution you have been searching for, stop by your local pharmacy in Powell, TN, and ask about the VIP box.
Your Hometown Pharmacy Since 1966
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Vaughn Pharmacy is a local, family-owned pharmacy serving the community in Powell, TN. Specializing in providing personalized and attentive prescription programs to our patients, we believe you are more than just a number - you're part of our family!
(865) 947-1581