Getting a prescription for a medication is a common part of a visit with your doctor, and taking medications is important for controlling many conditions, especially chronic ones like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
But up to half of patients don't take their medications as they are prescribed, research has found. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly 29 percent of Americans stop taking their medications before the supply runs out, 22 percent take less than the label recommends, 12 percent don't fill the prescription, and 12 percent don't take the medication at all after they purchase it.
Doctors refer to this issue as compliance, but nowadays they also use the word adherence. Patients may not comply with or adhere to their doctor's recommendations because they don't like the side effects of the drug, they feel better before they've actually recovered, they have trouble following the doctor's directions, or they have trouble handling complex regimens of multiple drugs.
Not taking your medications as directed can lead to many complications. For example, carefully following directions for antibiotics is important for keeping bacteria from becoming resistant to the drugs. In addition, according to AHA, 10 percent of hospital admissions are the result of patients not taking medications properly.
The following suggestions from the AHA may help you adhere to your doctor's prescriptions more easily:
- Make sure your doctor tells you what the medication is supposed to do and how you're supposed to take it. If your routine is hard to remember, ask your doctor if he or she can prescribe a regimen that's easier to follow.
- If you're having trouble with side effects or don't feel like the medication is working, discuss it with your doctor – don't just stop taking it own your own.
- Take your medications at the same time every day.
- Get help. You can purchase pill-holders divided into days of the week, which you fill at the beginning of the week, then open a new compartment each day. In addition, have friend or family member remind you to take your medicines or go with you to the doctor’s office so you can better understand the instructions.
Sources: Kripalani, et al, Archives of Internal Medicine, March 26, 2007
Luftey and Wishner, Diabetes Care, April 1999
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