How to Take Your Daily Medications Correctly

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 60% of adults in the United States use prescription drugs. Although most people who take prescription drugs are older or have chronic conditions, people of all ages rely on them.

How can you ensure your medicine is working for you and your healing? Medication management is the process of ensuring people take prescription drugs and medications correctly. It ensures your prescribed medicines are appropriate and you’re receiving the right dosages. Keep reading to learn more.

Why Is Medication Management Important?

It’s vital to maintain proper medication management to ensure your best health. Not following the prescribed dosage or following the right schedule for you or a loved one you might be assisting with their medications could make treatment ineffective and even dangerous.

The Consequences of Poor Medication Management

Poor medication management can, unfortunately, lead to serious illness and even fatalities. Many medications don’t interact well with others, potentially leading to serious side effects if patients don’t have someone overseeing their prescriptions.

Taking the wrong dosage or even the wrong medication(s) for your conditions could lead to worsened symptoms or the development of other health issues that put you at risk and impact your quality of life.

Increased health care costs are also a concern. Not getting the correct medications or taking the wrong dosages could prompt the need for hospitalizations and other interventions, all of which cost you more money.

It’s also much more difficult to stick to your medication schedule and adhere to the right treatment if you don’t have someone managing your medications. This is especially true if you’re taking more than one prescription.

Factors Contributing to Medication Mismanagement

The complexity of your treatment plan significantly impacts the likelihood of medication mismanagement. If you take many medications, you may not remember exactly how frequently to take each one or whether you should be taking any on an empty stomach as opposed to with a meal.

Not taking your medications as prescribed makes them less effective and can even put your health at risk. For example, consider antibiotic use. If you have a bacterial infection, you’ll likely have to take antibiotics at specific intervals.

Allowing too many hours to pass can make your medications less effective and could require further treatments. With proper medication management, you don’t have to worry about skipping doses.

It can be very difficult to stick to your medication schedule and take the prescriptions as recommended if you don’t understand why you need them. Our providers offer patient education, allowing you to improve your self-management skills so that you feel empowered.

In turn, this empowerment makes you more likely to stick to what your doctor ordered and use the medications as they’re intended. In the long run, it can also save you money because you’ll decrease your risk of complications.

Benefits of Medication Management

Proper medication management can help reduce the side effects that you may experience from your medications. By having someone monitor your prescriptions while also considering your health issues, you can avoid interactions between medications and ensure that you get appropriate doses.

Remember, medication management isn’t a one-time experience but an ongoing process. As such, your care team can make the necessary adjustments to provide safer and more effective treatment when needed.

Medication management offers relief for you, as the patient, by helping you adhere to your prescribed treatment plans. If you’re not sure when to take your medications or what your dosage should be, you’ll be more likely to skip doses, delaying your entire treatment process.

Strategies for Successful Medication Management

Patient education and empowerment help improve medication management. Education on the subject covers instances that could prevent patients from sticking to their treatment plans, like cost considerations, side effects and whether there are any obstacles to filling or refilling prescriptions. Your educator should also review what to expect if you experience challenges following your medication schedule.

It’s important to maintain an open dialogue with your health care provider so they can offer medication management strategies and encourage your success. If you have any questions or concerns about your medications, reach out to your provider to let them know how you’re feeling. You’ll work together to create a strategy that works for you while meeting your health care needs.

Technology and tools can also help you keep track of your medications. There are apps that can help you stay on schedule with your medications. For some people, wearable devices that monitor medication adherence are also helpful, especially if they can offer feedback to both patients and health care providers.

If you need further support, ask your health care team if they offer virtual video visits. These make it possible for you to interact with your care team remotely.

Tips on Taking Your Medications Correctly

If you’re still wondering about how to take your medications correctly, here are expert tips from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help guide you:

• Read warnings on the label.
• Check the list of ingredients for things you may be allergic to.
• Know the expiration date.
• Don't skip doses -- know how much to take and how long to take it for.
• Know which foods or beverages to avoid while taking any medicine.
• Ask your health provider about side effects, and report any you experience.
• Never share medicines.
• Organize the medicines in your home.
• Never take or give anyone medicine in the dark.
• Keep a written record of medications each person is taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and herbal and other dietary supplements.

The Future of Medication Management

As technology improves, so does medication management. Medication reminder apps are becoming more popular because they help with treatment adherence and keep your care team updated, too.

One benefit these apps offer is that they synchronize data with patients’ electronic medical records. They also alert providers when it’s time for a prescription refill.

It’s important to note that a whole-health approach to medication management is essential. Inform your care team about any supplements and other substances you may take. This will ensure that your team catalogs a more complete view of your health and medication landscape.

Managing Your Whole Health With AdventHealth Primary Care+

Being proactive in your care includes understanding what responsible medication use involves. Knowing what your medications do and how they interact with others can help you avoid dangerous side effects while working to improve your health conditions.

At AdventHealth Primary Care+, we offer a whole-person approach to your wellness. Our comprehensive primary care practice provides a range of services to help you. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about medication management and how we can help you live your fullest life.