How to Conveniently Manage Your Meds with Mobile Apps

• July 05, 2017
• Amber Specialty Pharmacy
• Health Tips

Most of us live busy lives, which can make remembering to take medication difficult. If your treatment is complex and you have to take different pills at different times every day, it can be confusing, making the problem of forgetfulness even worse.

Not taking medication as prescribed is called non-adherence. To stay adherent, you need to take the right medication, at the right time, at the right dosage, on the right schedule, under the right conditions, with the right precautions. Non-adherence may not sound too serious but it can be. Not taking medications as prescribed contributes to nearly 125,000 deaths a year in the U.S. and $300 billion in healthcare costs, according to the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Fortunately, managing your meds can be as simple as downloading a mobile app on your phone or tablet. Mobile apps make medication adherence easy and can help you improve your overall health. By using an app, you can receive reminders, manage your medications and easily share this information with your doctor, pharmacist or family members. Mobile apps also aid caregivers in managing the meds and care of a loved one.

There are a few things to consider before downloading an app to manage your meds. Several apps are available for download but it’s important to download one that meets your needs.

Before downloading an app to manage your meds, ask yourself these questions.

• Does the app seem easy to use? If the app is too complicated, you won’t use it. Try downloading the app for a trial period to make sure it is easy to use.
• Does the app have positive reviews? Reading user reviews may provide some insight into any potential issues with the app.
• Is your information secure? If you’re entering private health information into an app, it needs to be secure. Make sure the app uses encryption, which protects your personal data.
• Is the information accurate? It may surprise you to know that mobile apps aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. It’s important that the clinical information you’re following in an app is correct. If you’re unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist if the app you’re using is safe.

Two apps you may want to consider are MyMedSchedule Mobile and Care4Today Mobile Health Manager. Both of these apps are great at reminding you to take your meds and better manage your health. If you’re still unsure about finding the right app for you, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a recommendation.

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Want to learn more about the importance of medication adherence? Try these tips for fixing common adherence issues.