Following directions: two words we associate with success. And yet 75 percent of Americans don’t follow directions when taking medication. Some forget to take a dose. Others don’t think their medication is working, so they don’t take the directions seriously. Some people take fewer doses than prescribed in order to save money. And others dread the side effects of their medication so much that they avoid taking the medication altogether.
Can you relate? If so, consider this: The success of your medication relies on you to take it correctly—as failure to do so can cause some serious damage.
Risky Business
Medication adherence (or taking your medication as directed) is vital to treating illnesses and preventing further complications. For example, you must finish antibiotics completely, even if you start to feel better sooner, because bacteria is likely to still be alive in your body. If those germs multiply and spread, a new strain of resistant germs may make you sick again.
Nonadherence to medication for chronic conditions is even more dangerous. If you have high blood pressure, for instance, taking medication incorrectly puts you at risk for stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to better follow your medication’s directions:
- Save money smartly. You’re likely to save on drug costs by purchasing 90-day supplies through mail order. Or ask your doctor if there’s a generic option.
- Find routine. Keep a written or computerized schedule to remind you when it’s time to take your medication—and keep your medications in a place where you’ll notice them.
- Don’t split pills. The actual dose in each half of a split pill often varies, so while the two halves of the pill may look the same, they may not contain equal amounts of medicine. Take whole capsules and time-released drugs so that your body absorbs them properly.
- Get informed. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what’s preventing you from following your medication’s directions. If you’re experiencing side effects, your doctor can help you find an alternative.
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