Whether it’s antibiotics or daily medications for chronic conditions, taking the right dose is important. In fact, forgetting to take a medication or not remembering whether you’ve taken it is very common, according to the health website Prevention .
Elderly people and people with memory problems can easily forget whether they have taken their medication or not.
A study published in the journal Public Health Reports found that up to 75% of respondents in the United States said they had forgotten or could not remember whether they had taken their medication. In fact, taking medication regularly and in the right dose is not easy, especially for the elderly and those with memory problems.
Many people have taken the medicine but do not remember and take it again. This results in overdose. Overdose can lead to side effects. serious, even life-threatening.
How to handle
Experts say that when you can’t remember whether you’ve taken your medication or not, there are different ways to handle it depending on the situation, the type of medication, and the condition being treated. Sometimes, the best way is to not take anything else to avoid overdose. However, there are also cases where you need to continue taking your medication so you don’t miss any doses.
The best way is to consult a doctor or pharmacist, especially the one who prescribed the medication. Patients should describe their illness, health status and the medications they are taking. The doctor or pharmacist will have specific recommendations. Which medications should be taken, which should not be taken and when.
In situations where patients do not remember whether they have taken their medication or not, this method will help them take advantage of the benefits of the medication while reducing unwanted side effects. As a result, patients will recover faster, better control their chronic disease and improve the overall effectiveness of treatment.
There are several ways to help patients remember quite effectively. The first way to apply is to divide the medicine into doses and divide them by day. Another equally effective way is to set an alarm to remind you when to take it. Currently, smartphones have many applications for this purpose.
Another way is to incorporate medication into your daily routine. For example, take your medication after brushing your teeth, before bed, or after lunch. If you can’t do these things, ask a family member to help you remember to take your medication, according to Prevention .
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