General Medication-Taking Strategies

Considerations when taking medications

There are several things one should consider when taking medications. This includes instructions about medication use, side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. , accessible packaging, safe storage of medications, organization of medications, cost, and insurance coverage.

Depending on what is important to you, some considerations may carry more weight than others. Therefore, it is important to identify your values with your healthcare providers, both specific to your medications and your day-to-day activities.

Medication Information and Instructions for Use

When taking medication, it is important to consider and be aware of the following:

• Why are you taking it (e.g. what is the medication for and why do you need it)?
• What is the duration of use (e.g. is it a short-term or long-term medication)?
• What is the timing and frequency of the medication (e.g. how many times per day do you need to take the medication, does it need to be taken at specific times?)
  • Will the timing and frequency of the medication fit with your daily activities (e.g. work)?
  • What will happen if doses are missed or delayed?
  • Should the medication be taken with or without food (e.g. on a full stomach or empty stomach)?
• Is there a need for ongoing follow-ups or tests (e.g. blood tests)?
  • Note: Some medications may require ongoing tests to see if the desired effect has been achieved or to ensure the body is processing the medication well
• Should any foods or beverages be limited or avoided (to avoid medication interactions A reaction between two or more drugs, or between a drug and food, drink or supplement. A medication interaction can delay, decrease or increase the action that can prevent the drug from performing as expected. )?
• Should any other prescription medications A medication that is only available with written instructions from a healthcare provider (e.g., doctor, dentist, pharmacist). , over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications, or natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). be limited or avoided (to avoid medication interactions A reaction between two or more drugs, or between a drug and food, drink or supplement. A medication interaction can delay, decrease or increase the action that can prevent the drug from performing as expected. )?
• Is the medication expired?
  • Note: Check the expiration date Previously determined date after which something should no longer be used. of the medication. Expired medications may not be as effective or could even be harmful.
• Are you pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant? If so, certain medications may not be recommended during this time

Side Effects

In terms of medication side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. , it is important to consider:

• What side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. are common or should you be aware of (e.g. rare, but serious side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. )?
• What should you do if side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. are experienced?
• How to report side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. if they are experienced and who to report them to?
• How to discuss concerns about side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. with your healthcare providers?
• How to balance side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. with the effectiveness of the medication?

Accessible packaging and safe storage of medications

There are different types of medication packaging, and you need to consider factors such as the ability to independently access your medications and safe storage. For example, some medications have child-resistant lids that require a certain level of strength and hand function, which may make them difficult for some individuals to open.

To independently access your medications, you can consider accessible packaging options. See Module 9: Adapting daily routines and increasing independence with medication-taking. There are also different tools (e.g. assistive devices) that can enable people with a SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. to take their medications. See Module 9: Tools for medication-taking for a list of options.

It is also important to understand and be aware of safety considerations around medication storage:

• Read the medication instructions to determine whether they need to be stored at a certain temperature (e.g. refrigerated).
• Check how long medications can be stored for after they are opened (e.g. once eye drops are open, they should be discarded after 30 days even if there is still medication inside the bottle)
• If medications are being stored in bottles with non-childproof lids, it is important to store them in a secure location (e.g. in a locked area) out of reach of children and pets.

Organization of Medications

Keeping your medications organized is important, especially if you take multiple medications throughout the day. There are many ways to organize your medications and you may need to try several approaches before you figure out what works best for you. We have included some information on different ways to organize your medications.

Organization Method	Description and Guidance for Use	Pictures
Pill bottles	Pill bottles are plastic medication containers that prescription medications typically come in from the pharmacy  They often have a safety resistant cap that requires pushing down and turning or aligning arrows in a specific position and popping to open
Blister packs	Blister packs organize your medications by the day or time of day they need to be administered and allow you to easily determine if you have taken your medications  They are typically created at your pharmacy and are packed based on your schedule  Depending on the type of blister pack, the medications are popped out of the pack or accessed by peeling back the paper and scooping out the medication
Pill organizers/ dosettes	Pill organizers and dosettes also organize your medications by day and time of day, but typically have a lid that needs to be opened to take the medications  There are different types of pill organizers depending on your needs, including those for daily, weekly, or monthly medication use  Pill organizers and dosettes are typically filled by yourself or a caregiver, but some pharmacies may also help you fill them
Automated medication dispensers	Automated medication dispensers are devices that automatically dispense medications based on an entered schedule  Medication dispensers are typically filled by yourself, a caregiver, or the pharmacy and require you to input your medication schedule to dispense the medications correctly

When deciding how to organize your medications, there are several things you may want to consider, including:

• Do you have challenges remembering to take your medications?
• Do you want to be able to easily see if you have taken your medications?
• How much do you want to spend on a medication organizer, if anything?
• Do you need an organizer that is easy to open?
• Will you need and/or have access to support (from a caregiver or personal support worker) when taking your medications?
• Will you need and/or have access to support (from a caregiver or personal support worker) when filling the medication organizer?
• Does the medication organizer need to be safety resistant?
• Do you take any “as needed” medications (medications based on the symptoms you are currently experiencing)?
• How many pills are you taking daily? (e.g. most blister packs Type of medication packaging that contains pre-formed pockets or cavities that holds pills, tablets, or capsules. only contain 4 slots so if you are taking a medication six times a day this may not be the best tool for you)

Worksheet: Medication Organization – Strategies

If you are trying different methods of organizing your medications, we have included a tracking sheet to help you note some questions to ask yourself, along with some of your likes and dislikes of the method. This resource can be downloaded and completed on your computer or mobile device, or it can be printed.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

When taking medications, there may be several considerations related to cost and insurance coverage:

• What will the cost of medication be?
• Will the medication be covered by insurance?
• Is there a more affordable generic medication that could be prescribed instead? See Module 2: Brand name and generic medications.