Taking even one medicine correctly and on time each day can be a challenge. In fact, research shows that almost half of all patients do not follow their medication instructions properly.
For adults who tend to take multiple medications, the problem is even greater.
“Their rules are more complicated,” says David Bates, MD, director of the Center for Patient Research and Practice at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. they’re easy to mix.”
When every medicine has dosages, timing and instructions, keeping everything straight can be difficult. So it’s no wonder that medication errors happen – whether it’s forgetting a dose, taking the medicine at the wrong time or not understanding the instructions.
Medication errors can cause real harm to the patient, leading to adverse outcomes, hospitalization or even death in severe cases. About 15 percent of older people who seek care from a doctor or hospital each year have had a medical problem, research shows; in about half of the cases, this problem could have been prevented. AARP asked experts to find out what alternatives you can use, and how to prevent each problem.
1. Error: You violate one or more standards
One of the most common medication errors is skipping one or more doses, either as a deliberate cost-saving strategy or because you forgot. A 2021 study found that 8 percent of American adults, or about 9.2 million people, do not take their medications as prescribed because of cost.
While missing a dose or two may not seem like a big deal, it can have big consequences, Bates says. For example, if you have diabetes, not taking your insulin can cause life-threatening high blood sugar levels.
To stay on top of your medications, set reminders on your phone, use a pill organizer or ask a friend or family member for help.
If cost is an issue, talk to your pharmacist about options, suggests Chad Worz, a veteran pharmacist and chief executive officer of the American Association of Medical Entrepreneurs. They can look for discounts or talk to your doctor to see if a cheaper drug can be prescribed.
“Especially if it’s a well-known drug, the manufacturers can provide a way to buy it,” says Worz. “There are also many programs to help.”
2. Mistake: You miss a pill and double up
Have you ever forgotten you took a pill and popped another one just to be safe? Repeated medication can be dangerous, says Hedva Barenholtz Levy, clinical pharmacist and author of Maybe It’s Your Medicine.
Taking too much of a blood thinner can cause bleeding, for example, taking too much of a beta blocker can cause low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting.
“Don’t take it if you’re not sure,” says Barenholtz Levy. “Talk to your pharmacist before taking a second or skip the rest of the day.”
If you know that you have forgotten a dose and it is a medicine that you take twice or thrice a day, you also need to think about how close you are to the next dose. “If you remember the missed dose after two hours, yes, take the medicine as soon as you remember,” Barenholtz Levy says. “If it is close to the time of the next scheduled dose, then you should skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time.”
To make things easier, use a pill holder with daily compartments. Some “smart” pillboxes even have alarms or integrate with smartphone apps to provide reminders. Another option: Some pharmacies may put your medication in blister packs or bags labeled with the date and time to make it easier to keep track of the pills.
3. Mistake: You rush out of the pharmacy
When picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy, you may be tempted to grab them and go.
But sometimes entrepreneurs give patients the wrong medicine or dose, which can have serious consequences. One research study estimates that dispensing errors affect more than 2 out of every 100 medications dispensed by local drug stores.
So no matter how many people are waiting behind you in line, take a moment to make sure you get the right medication in the dosage you expected, says pharmacist Michael Gaunt, senior program manager for error reporting to the Center for Safe Medication Practices. “Patients feel pressured at the counter, but take the time to open the bag and make sure it’s the right medicine. Make sure your name is on the label, bottle and even open the bottle at the counter to see if it matches. If not, ask questions.”
It’s also a good time to ask any questions you have about your medications, potential interactions, and how and when to take them, Gaunt says.
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