Medication Routines—Keeping Them Simple

What, when, and how often you take your medications are what make up your medication routine. The routine can be confusing if you are taking 2 or more medications or you need to take medications at different times of the day. When possible, keeping your medication routine simple can help prevent mistakes with your medications.

SafeMedicationUse.ca received a report about a person who was asked to take 2 different doses of a thyroid medication called levothyroxine. On some days of the week they took a 100 mcg tablet, and on other days they took a 125 mcg tablet. When the person asked the pharmacy for a refill for tablets of one strength, they were given the other strength by mistake. A simpler option would be for the person to have a prescription for 112 mcg tablets. That way, the person would take the same dose every day.

• If you are having trouble with what, when, and how often to take your medications, ask your prescriber or pharmacist for help to simplify your routine.
  • If you are asked to take a different dose of the same medication on different days, ask if the medication comes in a strength that allows you to take the same dose every day.
  • You can ask the pharmacist about preparing your medications in a blister pack.
• A calendar or an alarm on your phone can help you keep track of medications that you don’t take every day (for example once a week or once a month).

For other ways on how to manage your medications, read more at:
https://safemedicationuse.ca/newsletter/organizemeds.html

This newsletter was developed in collaboration with patients and families.

Learning from consumer reports is shared with health care providers through ISMP Canada publications.