It is important to take your medications as prescribed, but sometimes that is easier said than done. Life can be hectic and forgetting to take a pill here and there happens frequently. But if you don’t take your medications as prescribed, it can lead to serious health consequences, and in some cases, it can even be fatal. That’s why it’s important to understand what medication adherence is and why it is essential to your health.
Medication adherence is the process of taking medication as prescribed by a doctor. This includes taking medicine at the right time, in the right dose, and for the prescribed length. It helps ensure that the medication works properly and that patients get the most benefit from it.
We can clearly see how important it is to adhere to our medication but still half of the people do not take their medication as prescribed. There are many challenges in Medication Adherence. Why is this? Let’s dive a little deeper.
What are the reasons behind people not being able to follow doctor-prescribed medication routines?
There are many reasons why people do not take their medication as prescribed. Some of the most common include:
Forgetting to take the medication
The most common reason people don’t take their medication as prescribed is simply forgetting to take it. It’s easy to forget a pill here and there, especially if you have a lot going on in your life.
Not understanding how to take the medication
Another reason people don’t take their medication as prescribed is that they don’t understand how to take it. This could be because the instructions are confusing or because they don’t know how the medication works.
Not being able to afford the medication
Cost is a major barrier to medication adherence. The high cost of prescription drugs can make it difficult for people to afford their medication, especially if they are taking multiple medications.
Experiencing side effects from the medication
Side effects are another major reason people don’t take their medication as prescribed. This could be either real or perceived side effects. The real side effects could be anything from headaches to nausea. But sometimes people may believe that a medication is causing them to feel worse when it’s actually just the symptoms of their illness.
Feeling that the medication is unnecessary
Sometimes people may feel that the medication is unnecessary, especially if they are feeling better. They stop before their prescribed course is finished because they feel better and think that the medication is no longer needed.
Is it harmful to have poor medication adherence?
High medical adherence is crucial to maintaining your health, and not following your treatment plan can have serious consequences. Poor medication adherence can lead to:
Worsening of the condition
If you don’t take your medication as prescribed, it can cause your condition to worsen and can even lead to comorbidities as a result.
Development of drug resistance
If you don’t take your medication as prescribed, the bacteria or virus can develop resistance to the medication, making it less effective.
Increased hospitalization rates
People who don’t take their medication as prescribed are more likely to be hospitalized because their condition is not being properly managed.
Higher mortality rates
Poor medication adherence is associated with higher mortality rates. People who don’t take their medication as prescribed are more likely to die from their condition than those who do. This is especially true for chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
These are just a few of the potential consequences of poor medication adherence. As you can see, it is essential to take your medication as prescribed in order to maintain your health. Let’s learn more about the importance of medication adherence.
Why is following medication adherence important for you?
The importance of taking medication as prescribed cannot be understated. When you don’t take the proper dosage or follow the schedule as prescribed, medications can become less effective and bacteria or viruses can develop resistance to them. This can lead to further illness and complications from your condition. No one wants to experience these things, so it’s crucial that you take your medication as prescribed. Doing so will help you maintain your health and avoid any unnecessary problems.
Following perfect medication adherence is the key to getting the most out of your medication and maintaining your health. Having a comprehensive understanding of your condition and its treatment is the first step to perfect medication adherence. Work with your healthcare team to make sure you understand your condition, the proper way to take your medication, and any possible side effects. With this knowledge, you can be sure that you are taking your medication as prescribed and getting the most out of it.
Simple tips to stick to your medication adherence.
Here are a few tips to help you stick to your medication adherence:
- Set a reminder
- Keep your medication in a visible and accessible place
- Make taking your medication part of your daily routine
- Get yourself a caretaker or accountability partner and tell them about your medication schedule
- Use a pill box or even better get presorted medications
- Get a medication tracker app
- Order your medication before you run out
- Use PillUp and we will take care of everything you need for your medication adherence
Role of PillUp to help you follow your Medical Adherence
PillUp can be the best thing to ever happen to you if you find it difficult to keep track of your medication or simply forget to take them on time. We have developed a solution for people to improve their medication adherence.
With PillUp, you will get pre-sorted medicines by time and date in easy-to-tear pouches, delivered to your doorstep. The medicines pouches come with proper labels which will help you understand which pouch to take and when. We also send reminders to our clients about their medicines through WhatsApp, call, and app notifications.
PillUp will help you take your medication as prescribed, so you can focus on living your life to the fullest. Get started with PillUp today!
Conclusion
As we have seen, poor medication adherence can lead to a number of serious consequences. It is therefore essential that you take your medication as prescribed in order to maintain your health. PillUp can help you stick to your medication adherence, we believe in making things easier for you so that you can focus on living your life to the fullest. Taking your medication as prescribed has never been easier, get started with PillUp today!
