6 Tips to Manage a Medication Schedule

 

 

Updated December 28, 2021

 

 

Medication Management

 

When was the last time you asked yourself, "Did I take my medicine today?" Without a proper medication schedule, it can be difficult to know for sure whether or not you've taken your medicine each day. Although many people struggle with medication schedule management, we have a few suggestions for remembering to take your medicine.

 

Tips and Tricks to Remember Medications

 

1. Reward Charts

My mom always said, "If I don't write it down in my planner, I won't remember." Although she was referring to events in her day planner, medication schedules can work the same way. We use charts to track progress and complete tasks from an early age. Template Lab  (Last Accessed April 29, 2021) offers a variety of printable, customizable medicine schedules. From potty training to chores to taking medication, there’s something satisfying about placing a sticker or checkmark next to the completed task. Be sure to reward yourself after adhering to your schedule for a set number of days.

 

2. Apps

If you have a smartphone, there are a variety of medication management apps. Several pharmacies have programmed their own apps to correspond with the prescriptions they already have on file. Record your daily medication habits with just the click of a button.2

 

3. Pill cases

Daily pillboxes are commonly sold at pharmacies. Traditionally, these cases are divided into days and sometimes times of days. But have you heard of an automatic pill case? It’s like an alarm clock for your medications. Vitality Medical sells the Med-E-Lert Locking Automatic Pill Dispenser. Once the pills are divided into days, lock the case and listen for the alarm to remind you to take your medication. The only job you have to worry about is replacing the pills and batteries when they run out.

 

4. Add it to your routine

Take medications at the same time as something else you do in your routine every day. Many prescriptions will indicate what time of day you should take them. If you are advised to take your medication with food, take it at the same time as a meal. If you are instructed to take the medication on an empty stomach, choose an activity that corresponds with the time of day advised on the prescription.3

 

5. Turn the bottle upside down

If you are more of a visual person, try turning the bottle on its cap once you’ve taken your daily dose. (Just don't forget to turn your bottle back over at night for the next day.)4

 

6. Sticky Notes

Since the invention of the sticky note, people use the colorful re-adhesive paper squares as reminders to do anything from remembering to smile to remembering to do the dishes. Placed in just the right spots, they can also be used to help you remember to take your medication. The visual cue reminding you to take your prescription is more important than the words you write on the paper.5

 

What's the best method? That varies from person to person. If you don't like one trick, try out a different idea. Any of these techniques might feel awkward at first, but as you practice them, they will become easier and easier to remember. Who knows? In time, you might not need reminders at all as your medication schedule becomes habitual.

 

 

Footnotes

  • 1Doe, John. "40Great Medication Schedule Templates (+Medication Calendars)." TemplateLab, 29 Apr. 2021. (Last Accessed June 2, 2021)
  • 2Doe, J. "Adherence." Children’s Mercy Kansas City, (31 May, 2021) (Last Accessed June 2, 2021)
  • 3Burry, M. "Here's Exactly What to Do If You Missed a Dose of Your Medication." Prevention, (29 September, 2020) (Last Accessed June 2, 2021)
  • 4Gleeson, J. R. "8 Easy Ways to Remember to Take Your Medication." University of Michigan, (19 April, 2018 ) (Last Accessed June 2, 2021)