Key Aspects
Ensuring that the patient takes the correct amount of medication. For example, taking one pill instead of two or missing a dose can negatively affect treatment effectiveness.
What is correct dosage of medications?
This is the term used when a patient is unable to afford their medications, leading them to skip doses or not fill their prescriptions at all.
What is cost-related non-adherence?
For individuals with mental health conditions, skipping doses of antidepressants or antipsychotics can lead to this symptom.
What is relapse or worsening of symptoms?
When a doctor provides a patient with detailed information about why a medication is important, including potential side effects, this is an example of this practice.
What is patient education?
This term refers to the act of taking medication exactly as prescribed, including the correct dose, at the right time, and for the right duration.
What is medication compliance?
Medications should be taken at the specified times. For certain conditions, such as epilepsy or diabetes, the timing of doses can be critical to prevent complications.
What is timely administration of medications?
A side effect, such as nausea or dizziness, from a medication can cause patients to stop taking the drug. This is an example of a barrier related to this.
What are adverse effects or side effects?
In patients with opioid use disorder, not following a prescribed medication regimen like methadone can lead to this, increasing the risk of overdose and relapse.
What is opioid relapse?
This is a common tool used to help patients remember to take their medications by organizing doses for each day of the week.
What is a pill organizer?
This is the term for when a patient fails to follow the prescribed medication regimen, leading to a decrease in the effectiveness of the treatment.
What is non-adherence or non-compliance?
Medications need to be stored in a way that preserves their efficacy, which includes keeping them at the right temperature and out of reach of children.
What is proper storage of medications?
This common barrier to adherence refers to the challenges of managing multiple medications with different dosing schedules.
What is medication complexity?
Failure to take prescribed medications like acamprosate and naltrexone for alcohol use disorder can cause this, which can include increased cravings and risk of heavy drinking.
What is increased cravings or relapse?
This strategy involves helping patients remember to take their medication, often through reminders sent via phone or digital apps.
What is using medication reminder apps?
Suddenly stopping medications can cause withdrawal symptoms, rebound effects, disease progression, and a range of other complications. If you think you need to stop or change your medication, always...
What is consult your healthcare provider?
The prescribed treatment regimen may have a _________. For instance, completing an entire course of antibiotics is crucial to avoid the development of antibiotic resistance.
What is specific duration?
A patient’s difficulty understanding the instructions or the purpose of the medication regimen is often a barrier to adherence, especially in those with limited health literacy. This is an example of what type of barrier?
What is lack of patient education or understanding?
In the case of antibiotics or antiviral drugs, poor adherence can contribute to the development of drug resistance, making the condition harder to treat in the future.
What is antibiotic resistance?
Healthcare providers can attempt to prescribe medications that require fewer doses or combine multiple medications into a single pill to reduce complexity.
What is simplifying the regimen?
This is the term for the time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the bloodstream to decrease by half.
What is the half-life?
Regular follow-up visits, phone calls, or even text reminders can help keep patients on track with their medication regimen.
What is ongoing monitoring?
This psychological factor can lead to medication non-adherence when a patient feels that their symptoms have improved and therefore no longer needs their medications.
What is the “feel better” syndrome or complacency?
Missing doses of blood pressure medications can lead to this condition, which may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
What is uncontrolled hypertension?
Establishing a daily routine that incorporates medication can make it easier to remember. For example, taking medication at the same time as brushing teeth can help form a consistent habit.
What is routine and habit?
This is the key difference between a drug with a short half-life versus one with a long half-life, affecting how often it needs to be taken.
What is the frequency of dosing?