What Should I Do If I Miss A Dose Of My Medication?

Missing a dose of medication is a common phenomenon that happens the world over. While for certain over the counter (OTC) medications, missing a dose isn’t altogether that harmful, for other stronger prescription medications even missing one dose can have adverse consequences. So what should you do if you miss a dose of medication?

Those with severe or life-threatening medical conditions should contact their doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional immediately if they have forgotten to take their medication on time. For less severe health conditions, the general rule of thumb is to wait until the time for your next dose and ensure you take it on time to get back on your prescribed medication schedule. It is also okay to take the missed doses if you have only missed your time window by an hour or so.

For individuals with complex medication schedules, missing a dose can unfortunately become a common occurrence. This can be dangerous as taking too little or too much of any medication and can have adverse side effects that can be harmful to health. In this article, we’ll learn about the impacts that missing a dose of medication can have on an individual and what measures can be taken to ensure efficient and accurate medication management.

How Important Is It To Take Medications On Time & In The Right Doses?

There is a reason why your doctor or pharmacist prescribes medications to be taken at certain time intervals and in specific doses. Taking medication whenever you remember or “feel like it” isn’t just bad for your health but can also be dangerous. Depending on the medical condition you are trying to treat, your current health, and the type of medication you are taking, missing even one dose can have adverse consequences compromising physical and/or mental health.

Taking medication in the wrong doses is equally dangerous. Taking too much medication can result in unwanted side effects and can also interfere with other medications you may be taking,leading to even further complications. Taking too little of a certain medication won’t bring about the desired results you are seeking and can make any treatment seem unsatisfactory.

It is essential to take medications on time and in the right doses. This is the best way to ensure you are giving every chance for that medication to treat the health condition at hand without putting your health in further jeopardy.

What Actions Should You Take If You Forget To Take Your Dose On Time?

The actions you can take depend upon the type of medication you are taking and the time window that you have missed your medication. So, for example, if your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed you to take a certain medication twice a day, and you forgot to take your morning dose it is best to simply wait until your next dose and take that on schedule.

If you missed your morning dose, and you remembered about it a couple of hours later, it is ok to take the dose then, as a matter of a couple of hours doesn’t make that much of a difference. You can then take your next dose on time and be back on schedule.

For individuals who are prescribed more than one medication, and that too is to be taken in multiple doses throughout the day, missing even one dose can be a lot trickier to deal with. When it comes to polypharmacy, certain drugs can react differently to others and missing even one dose can have unknowing repercussions. In such a case, it is always best to consult with your pharmacist or healthcare provider to figure out what the next best course of action is to be.

Top Tip: Under no circumstance should you take prescription medications whenever you remember. Always make a medication schedule and adhere to it as closely as possible for the best results.

How To Ensure Proper Medication Management?

The best way to protect against missing your medication doses is to invest in an automatic pill dispenser. This versatile, affordable, and extremely convenient medication management device will ensure that you always take your medication on time and in the correct dosage thanks to its programmable automated medication scheduler.

With 28 storage compartments, each programmed to unlock at a pre-ordained time, individuals and caregivers alike can have peace of mind knowing that they have taken their medications on time and in the correct dosage amounts.

The way the device works is simple. You or your caregiver fill the compartments with the right type of medication and in the right doses. Once that is done, set the alarms for the times of day your meds should be taken. Once set, place the locked cover on the device and you’re all set to go!

Such a device is especially beneficial for seniors, who may take multiple medications a day or may have challenges with memory.It is also beneficial for individuals with complex medication regimens that are difficult to keep track of daily.

There are other practical ways to ensure you don’t forget to miss a dose, such as setting up reminders on your phone and/or pairing your medications with other daily habits such as having breakfast.

Take Precautions To Ensure You Don’t Miss Doses - If You Do Consult With The Experts!

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are over 700,000 emergency room visits and 120,000 hospitalizations each year due to missing medication doses, taking the wrong doses, and having an adverse reaction to taking the wrong combination of drugs.

This extraordinarily high number of incidents can be reduced with automatic medication dispensers such as the ones offered by Northwood Intouch.

Our devices can help reduce medication errors by protecting against double dosing and/or unscheduled dosing.