Importance of Taking Medications as Directed

If you take a lot of medications, you might fall into the habit of taking them “as needed” or at your own discretion. Many people, especially seniors, take it upon themselves to decide when they need medications.

However, it is vital that you take medications as directed.

According to the FDA, about 125,000 deaths each year in the United States are due to improper use of prescribed medications. In fact, about 20-30% of new drugs prescribed by doctors are not even filled by the patient and many patients decrease their dosage or stop taking their medication without speaking to their doctor.

Some patients don’t take their medications as prescribed because they don’t understand the instructions. Elderly patients should ask questions at their doctor’s office, or bring a loved one along with them, in order to understand how to take their medication correctly. About 55% of elderly patients are not taking their prescriptions as directed, and about 200,000 are hospitalized due to drug reactions per year.

If you fail to take your prescriptions as directed, the issue they are intended to treat will not improve or change. For example, if you’re prescribed blood pressure medication to regulate your blood pressure, not taking the medications as directed will not help you. Medications will only work if they are taken as prescribed.

Many people, specifically seniors, don’t take their medications as directed due to forgetfulness: if you have ever forgotten to take your medication, consider picking up a weekly pill container, and placing the pills you need each day in the proper container. This will remind you to take your medication as needed. You can also set reminders on computers, phones, and otherwise. (Or, simply mark your calendar!)

If you’re confused about directions that your doctor gave you about how to take your medication, or if you feel that you’re experiencing side effects that make you want to stop your medication all together, talk to your doctor right away.

This applies to over-the-counter meds, too—if you’re confused about the directions of cold meds or pain killers, speak to a pharmacist before you leave the store, and make sure you understand how to take the medication before you start it.

Click here to view some of BEK’s available pill containers to help you ensure that you are taking your medications just as you should be.