Sticking to Your Medication Schedule

Do you sometimes skip a dose? Or do you ever ask yourself: "Did I take my meds this morning?" If so, this is for you.

Perhaps you are not regularly taking your medication because:

• You have to take your medication(s) several times a day.
• You have to take your medication(s) at a time of day that does not fit in with your lifestyle (e.g. working night shifts).
• You have an illness with few symptoms.
• You are undergoing extended treatment.
• You have to take a medication with effects that are not noticeable.
• You have difficulty swallowing the medication or an inability to use the product or the device (e.g. syringe) that is needed to administer it.
• You lack motivation due to:
  • a negative perception of the medication;
  • a poor understanding of the treatment's benefits;
  • unpleasant side effects.

Not taking your medication as prescribed can cause serious problems. Here are a few tips and tools to help you get the best results from your treatment:

• Always take your medication at the same time of day.
• Include your medication in your daily routine, for example, when brushing your teeth. Unless otherwise specified by your health care professional, take your medication at a time that best suits you.
• Keep your medication in a strategic, easily accessible place:
  • linked to the routine you chose to associate it with (e.g. next to the toothpaste);
  • in case you forget, in small quantity (e.g. at the office or on your keychain)
• Use a pill box (they come in various sizes).
• Make a note in your agenda or on a calendar every time you take your medication.
• Post reminders around your home.
• Use an alarm (e.g. on your watch or your phone).
• Use a mobile app (medication and refill reminders, options to notify someone of a missed dose, etc.).
• Inform your loved ones of your medication schedule.
• Make sure your prescription is valid until the next refill.

See you pharmacist in the following cases:

• You have questions or doubt about your treatment.
• You wonder if you could reduce the number of pills you take (e.g. combined products);
• You have difficulty preparing your medications in a pill box;
• You have unpleasant side effects.

Taking action to properly follow your medication treatment is giving yourself the best chance to succeed.