If you’ve ever received a prescription for antibiotics, your healthcare provider will have most likely advised that you take them for a week, regardless of how quickly you recover. Yet, as soon as patient health improves after the third or fourth day, the remainder goes mostly unnoticed.
Despite the exorbitant medication cost, many will misuse them or forget to take them as prescribed. In some cases, they’ll chalk it up to more complex reasons, which include the following.
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Lack of Access
Some have no means of affordable transportation to and from the local pharmacy or lack of funds to refill their prescriptions. Though vital for recovery, sometimes nutrition trumps the need to chalk up extra cash for medication.
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Multiple Medications
Patients on a plethora of medications following a zig-zag dosing schedule will understandably slip up every once in a while.
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Aversion Towards Pills
Some patients are opposed to the overall idea of pills for several reasons. Perhaps they’ve witnessed a family member succumb to the wrath of addiction or simply aren’t ready to accept that they’re aging.
Sometimes, stubborn pride runs deep, and a patient may feel that taking medication means they’ve failed to support their well-being.
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No Symptoms
If a patient isn’t experiencing symptoms or existing ones aren’t worsening, they might choose to ditch the prescription. Even if your symptoms are mild, don’t run the risk of exacerbating them by combatting your doctor’s advice.
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Medical Mistrust
One bad experience with a healthcare provider is often enough to deter an individual from seeking commercial medication. Though it isn’t always wrong to do so, some will wrongfully seek alternative medicine despite a clear recovery path.
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Failed Treatment
If a specific type of medication failed you in the past, there’s no guarantee it’ll fail you again. In most unsuccessful cases, medication is only a partial culprit. Some patients will have failed to follow peripheral instructions, such as a need for daily exercise or a change in diet.
If you’re taking your medication as prescribed but neglecting the rest of your well-being, don’t expect a positive outcome.
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Interference with Job Performance
Skimping on medication for fear of affecting job performance is perfectly understandable. However, your employer should be forgiving of necessary treatment. If not, you might want to consider a company that doesn’t discriminate.
How to Take Your Medication on Time
Some people are merely forgetful. If you’re one of them, there are dozens of ways to improve your dosing schedule without missing a beat.
- Craft a medication chart and place it where it is immediately visible, such as on your bathroom door or beside the table.
- Use a daily pillbox—these are fairly intuitive and easy to track.
- Ask a family member to remind you. While it isn’t their responsibility to do so, your parent, sibling, or spouse might be more than willing to help out.
- Download a medication calendar app—it’ll remind you to take your pills throughout the day.
Conclusion
We all have our reasons for neglecting medication, whether it be forgetfulness or a deliberate desire not to. However, know that your healthcare provider has it in their best interest to improve your condition—always communicate your fears and concerns. They’ll have no problem addressing them.
If you’re a smartphone user and a fan of digital alerts, give MedManage a shot. With a medicine tracker app, you’ll have no other excuse to push your medication aside.