Medication is most effective when you take it the way it is prescribed. Not taking your medication as directed can have serious consequences.
When you have depression or any mental health issue, it can be challenging to remember to take your medication. Other common reasons people don't take their medication include:
- Not believing the medication will work
- Not knowing when it is working
- Being afraid of possible side effects
- Difficulty taking the medication
- Forgetting to take the medication
If you have trouble taking your medication as prescribed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your concerns. There are tools that can help.
When you take medication, it is important to
Get to know your medication. Before you begin taking your medication, learn the following:
- Name (generic name and brand name)
- What your pill looks like (color, shape, and size)
- Why you are taking it
- How much to take and when to take it
- Possible side effects and what to do if you have them
- Any special instructions
Continue taking your medication even if you do not feel better right away. Medications often need time to work. It may also take some time for you and your doctor to find the best medication for you and the right amount to make you feel better.
Continue taking your medication even if you are feeling better. Your medication may be what is improving your symptoms. Learn about any possible side effects. Get to know common side effects associated with your medication so you can quickly identify bad reactions (such as a stomach ache, dizziness, or headaches). Be sure your doctor knows if you have had any bad reactions to a medication before or if you have any bad reactions to a medication they prescribe you.
Tips on how to remember to take your medication
Have a set schedule. Take your medication at the same time(s) every day. This may be when you wake up, with a meal, or before bedtime.
Associate your medication with a daily activity. For example, if you have a cup of coffee in the morning and need to take your medication in the morning, you can associate your morning coffee with taking your morning medications.
Organize your medications in a pillbox. A pillbox is especially helpful if you have many medications and need to keep them organized. Pillboxes can be purchased at most pharmacies or online. You can pick from a 1-time-a-day pillbox to a 4-time-a-day pillbox depending on how often you need to take your pills each day. Most pillboxes fit in a lunchbox or purse and can be carried with you.
Set an alarm. Phones, tablets, and smart watches have alarms that you can set every day. Set an alarm to help you remember to take your medications.
Use a smartphone application. Many applications or apps are available to help you remember to take your medication. The apps work by sending you text or other alerts to let you know it’s time to take your medication. Often these apps allow you to have someone else receive alerts if you forgot to take to your medication—if you mark that you’ve taken it, you’re all set. If you ignore the notification, the designated person gets notified and can check in with you. These apps often also feature drug interaction warnings, refill alerts, and a diary to keep track of how you are feeling on your medications. Below is a list of apps that you can try.
Use a medication log. Writing down when you last took your medication and how much you took is a good way of remembering to take it correctly. Here is an example of a medication log that you can use: [medication log link]
Combine pills into pill packs or blister packs. Some pharmacies or companies offer a service that pre-packs your medications into a pill pack or blister pack. This website explains how blister packs can help you remember to take your medications: https://www.epill.com/blister.html. You can find these services by searching online. You can also ask your pharmacist if they provide this service. In some cases, these services are done at no or minimal cost.
Check out a website. Websites can provide you with useful tips about how to remember to take your medications and how to take them correctly. A list of helpful websites is provided below.
Use a pill bottle alarm. Some pill bottles have lids with an alarm built in. You set the alarm to remind you to take it. If you have already taken the medication, an alarm will go off to prevent you from taking more medication than you should. Here’s a site with some examples of these products: http://www.epill.com
Other tools. If you are still searching for a reminder system, other tools are available. Keep looking online or ask your doctor or pharmacist about available options until you find the right tool to help you take your medications correctly.
Get support from family, a friend, or a caregiver
A family member, friend, or caregiver can also help you remember to take your medication. Talk to someone about your medication and tell them when you take it. For example, that person could help you organize your medications in a pillbox.
Talk to your doctor, therapist, or pharmacist
Keep a list of all the medications and supplements you take. Keep an updated list of all your medications, herbal/nutritional supplements, or over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications and share it with your healthcare provider. Your medication list will help your provider create the most effective treatment plan for you and avoid any possible negative drug interactions (one drug affecting the activity of another drug). This list will also show your provider how you are taking your medications.
Your doctor or pharmacist can suggest a reminder tool that is specific to your situation. If your medication regimen/schedule is too complicated, you should ask if it is possible to simplify it. You can also ask your doctor to help you make a medication schedule. This will help you remember what medicines to take at what times of the day.
If you have concerns about your medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist. It is important to not stop taking a medicine, change how much you take, or change how often you take it without talking to your doctor first. Tell your doctor if you miss any doses or take your medications in a way other than how they were prescribed.
Below is a list of questions you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medication(s):
- What does my medication do?
- When and how should I take my medication?
- How long should it take for the medication to make me feel better?
- What side effects (reactions your body may have to the medicine) could I have?
- Should I avoid any foods, drinks, other medications, or activities while I’m taking medicine?
- What should I do if I forget to take my medication?
- How will I know if my medication is working?
Apps and websites to help you take your medication
Many apps and websites are available to help you remember to take your medications.
Medication reminder apps
Apps can help you by sending reminders to you and to someone else when you have forgotten to take your medication. Apps can also help you keep track of when you took a medication, so you don’t take it more often that it is prescribed.
Medisafe. A mobile app that helps you remember to take your medication. Cost: Free Evidence: In a retrospective study, Medisafe users showed statistically significant increases in adherence.
MyMeds. This app is a secure medication management platform. The app sends you daily medication and refill reminders and helps you understand why you are taking your medications. It also keeps your healthcare providers and family aware of what medications you're taking.
HealthSavvi. This app helps you track, organize, and remember various aspects of your health such as medications and appointments on a secure platform.
iMHere. This app is for individuals with chronic diseases. The app is currently available on the Android platform, and an iPhone version is under development.
You can also search your application store under “medication” to find other apps.
Medication reminder websites
These websites provide information and tools to remind you to take your medications and to help you take them correctly.
Devices and organizers
This website has different examples of pillboxes, pill dispensers, and pill timers.
Medication lists
This website can help you keep track of the medications you take. Also has a medications list that is available in Spanish.
If you need more help
A nonprofit organization that has tips to help you remember to take your medication as directed.
A campaign in the U.S. that is designed to help you take your medication as directed.