Patients may not be taking medications as prescribed for various reasons.
Although medications are available to treat many conditions, one obstacle can still stand in the way: lack of medication adherence. There's no point in any medication if the patient is not even taking it.
People can refuse to take medications for a variety of reasons. They may feel better already, dislike the side effects, or don't see the point. While these reasons are understandable, it's important to know that certain chronic conditions require ongoing medications, like high blood pressure (hypertension). Not everything is a temporary condition requiring only a one-time treatment.
Some people my have a hard time keeping track of medications, another hindrance to medication adherence. This is especially true for the elderly and those with cognitive dysfunction. One solution is to arrange the medications in pill boxes labeled by time of the day and day of the week. Physicians can also help by prescribing only what is necessary instead of piling medications in the patient's list.
Whatever the reason may be, not taking medications as prescribed presents challenges for everyone. Most importantly, it jeopardizes your health. If you have concerns about your medications, your doctor can address them.
