Pairing a prescription with a daily routine, using a pill organizer or setting a phone reminder can help people keep track of medications, according to UR Medicine.
The health system's medication guide emphasizes building workable habits and asking a pharmacist or health care provider for help when missed doses or refill problems become frequent.
Taking medications as prescribed helps a treatment plan work as intended. The guide encourages people who have questions about their doses or difficulty keeping up with a schedule to discuss those problems with a professional.
One option is to connect a dose with something that already happens each day, such as an established morning or evening routine. A pill organizer separated by day and time can provide another visual reminder.
Phone alarms and MyChart's To Do tools can also help track a schedule. A pharmacist can help patients choose and set up a reminder system.
Organizers and packaging can reduce confusion
For people managing several medications, adherence packaging can sort prescriptions into packets labeled with the day and time they should be taken. UR Medicine advises asking a pharmacy about that option.
A paper or digital checklist can provide a record of which doses have already been taken. The goal is to make the schedule easier to follow and to reduce uncertainty about whether a dose was missed.
If someone misses a dose or thinks they may have taken one twice, the guide says to contact a pharmacist or health care provider before taking additional medication. The appropriate response depends on the prescription and the situation.
Refill problems also warrant contacting the pharmacy. Staff can request approval from a prescriber when needed and help determine whether a short-term solution is available while a refill is being arranged.
Requesting refills through MyChart
UR Medicine patients can request refills through MyChart, send a message or call their pharmacy. Pharmacy apps can also provide contact information and hours.
In MyChart, patients begin in Medications, identified by a two-pill icon, and look for prescriptions marked as due soon or available for refill. After selecting a refill, they choose Next and confirm the pharmacy.
The Manage My Pharmacies option allows patients to review that selection. They then choose pickup or delivery, review the request and submit it. A notification follows when the prescription is ready or has shipped.
Automatic refill programs and free alerts can help patients avoid running out. Pickup and delivery options depend on the pharmacy and prescription; eligible mailed prescriptions may qualify for free next-day delivery, but that service does not apply to every medication.
Patients who want to move a prescription from another pharmacy can use the Transfer Prescription form in MyChart's Medications section. They can also indicate whether they want automatic delivery.
The guide encourages patients to ask for help when a medication routine is not working, rather than trying to resolve dosing uncertainty on their own.
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