Have you ever forgotten to take your medicine, wondered if it’s really working, or worried about side effects? You’re not alone. Many adults face these questions every day. Let’s talk about why taking your medicine as directed — also called “medication adherence” — is so important, and how you can make it easier for yourself.
What Is Medication Adherence?
Medication adherence means taking your medicine exactly as your doctor or health care provider tells you. For your medication to work effectively, you should:
- Take the right dose
- At the right time
- For as long as you’re supposed to
When you follow these instructions, you give yourself the best chance to protect your health and feel your best.
The Importance of Medication Adherence
Taking your medicine as prescribed can:
- Help control chronic conditions (like high blood pressure or diabetes)
- Improve your quality of life
- Help you live longer
If you skip doses or stop taking your medicine, your condition might get worse. For example, not taking blood pressure medicine can lead to heart disease, stroke, or kidney problems.
Common Reasons People Struggle to Take Medication
It’s normal to have trouble sticking to a medication routine. Some common reasons include:
- Forgetting: Life gets busy, and it’s easy to miss a dose.
- Doubts: You might wonder if the medicine is really helping.
- Side effects: Some medicines can cause unwanted effects.
- Cost: Prescription drugs can be expensive.
- Difficulty: Some pills are hard to swallow or have complicated instructions.
Everyone faces different challenges, and these can change over time.
What Happens If You Don’t Take Your Medicine?
Not taking your medicine as directed can be risky. Every year, not following medication instructions leads to serious health problems for thousands of Americans. In fact, it’s estimated that 125,000 people die each year because of medication non-adherence.
It also costs the health care system a lot — up to $300 billion a year in extra doctor visits, emergency room trips, and hospital stays.1
Easy Tips to Help You Stay on Track
You don’t have to do this alone. Here are some simple ways to make taking your medicine easier:
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist: They can answer your questions, help you understand your medicine, and suggest ways to manage side effects or costs.
- Use a pill organizer: These handy boxes can help you remember if you’ve taken your medicine.
- Create a schedule: Set reminders on your phone or write down the times when you need to take your medicine. (Read: Decoding medication instructions)
- Get support: Ask a family member, friend, or caregiver to help remind you.
- Explore cost options: If money is tight, ask your doctor or pharmacist about cheaper alternatives or programs that can help.
Your Next Step: Talk to Your Doctor
If you have questions or concerns about your medicine, don’t wait — talk to your doctor. They want to help you stay healthy and can work with you to find solutions that fit your life.
Remember: Taking your medicine as directed is one of the best things you can do for your health. Small changes can make a big difference.
Want to learn more?
Watch Dr. Kumar’s full interview on NBC10 Healthy You with Sheila Watko for deeper insights and practical tips on medication adherence.
1 Center for Applied Health Research on Aging. (n.d.). Take It. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.