5 Best Medication Tracking Devices

Forgetting to keep up on scheduled prescriptions can have dangerous repercussions. Here are our top picks for medication reminders that keep you on track.
Best overall
Best smartphone app
Best value
Best for pill bottles
Best wearable reminder
CADEX 12 Alarm Watch
e-Pill Cadex Watch
  • con
    Requires separate organizer
  • pro
    Custom reminders

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review

MedCenter’s 31-day medication organizer comes at an affordable price, lets you dole out prescriptions into four daily doses, uses a color-coded approach, and can even alert you when it's time to take your meds.

We think this medication tracker will fit easily into your daily routine, but make sure to check out the other options we gathered. From wearables to alarm clocks, you should choose whatever suits your lifestyle best.



Compare the best medication tracking devices

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Top medication trackers and reminders

1. MedCenter 31-Day Pill Organizer with Reminder System: Best overall

Best overall
MedCenter 31 Day Pill Organizer

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

MedCenter’s pill system serves as an all-in-one solution. Its 31 compartments separate into four daily doses, helping you make sure that medications are taken on schedule.

We like that you can pull out one day's worth of medication and lay it on the tray for easy access. When you're done, turn the red side up and slide it back into numerical order. 

pro
Pros
pro Loud and extra-loud settings
pro Continuous alarm sound
pro Organizer uses color for easy visual management
con
Cons
con Multiple compartments and color-coding system could be confusing

The organizer also features audible reminders and an alarm clock function. We liked the different settings on the alarm, including "loud" or "extra loud" volume controls. You can also set the alarm to beep or speak out loud when it's time to take your meds. The latter option may be better for Alzheimer's patients who might not remember what the beep means.

The alarm continues to sound until you press the "alarm acknowledged" button, which ensures that you get up and go to the medications immediately. The risk of using mobile alarms (like through your phone) is that you'll dismiss the alarm and forget to get up and take your meds. MedCenter's alarm reduces the chance of that happening.

Finally, there's the convenience of only having to organize your pills once a month with the 31 compartments. Most medication trackers have to be refilled weekly instead.

2. Sagely SMART Weekly Pill Organizer: Best smartphone app

Best companion app
Sagely

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Sagely includes some neat features, like portable medication containers you can slip into your purse or pocket for a day out. And to reduce the chances of pills clattering into the wrong section during the weekly dole-out, each container has a push-through lid. 

The Sagely pill organizer also stands out thanks to its smartphone app, which you can program to send you medication reminders. There's no special communication between the pill organizer and the app, so if you still forget to take your meds after getting the reminder, it won't keep pinging you. 

pro
Pros
pro Push-through lids
pro Smartphone app is compatible with Android and Apple products
pro Smartphone app reminders
con
Cons
con Twice-a-day capacity only

The Sagely Weekly Pill Organizer has a magnetic base to keep everything in place, and it's easy to stack multiple Sagely organizers so you can plan for more than just the week ahead. The soft lids are easy to open, and this is one of the few pill organizers that actually looks nice sitting on your counter.

Finally, each Sagely container is large enough to handle around 10 pills—including those big vitamins and fish oil capsules.

Light Bulb
Alexa can remind you too

If you already have an Amazon Echo, ask Alexa to remind you to take your medicine. She'll audibly remind you when the time rolls around, and you'll also get smartphone alerts through the Alexa app.

3. e-Pill 4-Alarm MedCenter Talk: Best value

Best value

If you want a slightly cheaper alternative to the MedCenter 31-day Pill Organizer, the e-Pill 4 Alarm MedCenter Talk has you covered.

It comes with the same alarm system but is organized by a single week rather than days of the month. It needs to be refilled more often than the MedCenter 31-day Pill Organizer, but at least it still has four compartments for each day. 

pro
Pros
pro Easy-open design for those with dexterity issues
pro Audio reminders to take pills four times daily
pro Helpful storage tray for organization
con
Cons
con Requires refilling more often
con Compartments aren't see-through

The e-Pill's simple design with larger compartments is a plus—it may be easier on arthritic hands. The compartments aren't see-through, so it's difficult to know at-a-glance whether you still need to take some medicine—but you may enjoy the increased privacy when people visit. 

4. Take-n-Slide: Best for pill bottles

Best for pill bottles

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

If you only have a couple once-daily medications to keep track of or you simply prefer to keep everything in their usual bottles, try the Take-n-Slide medication tracker. 

It comes with adhesive backing so that it sticks to the bottle, and it's easy to remove and reuse. 

Just slide the markers to the right when you take a pill that day. The red and green colors offer an at-a-glance visual reminder of what you still need to take.

pro
Pros
pro Very simple to use
pro Doesn't rely on batteries
con
Cons
con Doesn't send alerts
con Suitable for once-a-day meds only

The only downside of the Take-n-Slide is that it's not useful for organizing medicines that are taken multiple times per day. You could add two Take-n-Slides to each pill bottle and use a marker to designate one for the morning and one for the evening, but anything more complicated than that might be better suited to one of our other recommended med trackers.

5. e-pill Cadex: Best wearable medication reminder

Best wearable medication reminder
CADEX 12 Alarm Watch

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

E-pill offers several medication management devices, ranging from pillboxes to watches, but the Cadex 12-Alarm is a crowd favorite. The watch features an audible alarm and text option. Its snooze function sounds every three minutes and stays in effect until the wearer takes the prescribed pills.

pro
Pros
pro Allows up to twelve alarms per day, ensuring that each pill gets taken at the exact right time
pro Can be set to display medical alert data in the event of an emergency
con
Cons
con Expensive
con Unsuitable for individuals with complete or partial hearing loss

For a more affordable alternative to the Cadex, try the WobL Watch. It allows wearers to manage daily medications and appointments and includes vibration reminders for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Though not designed solely for medical use, the WobL's extended functionality will work well for those with active lifestyles.

On the other hand, if you can afford something a little more expensive, check out the Angel Watch or Apple Watch. Both include senior-friendly features and reminders.

Final word

You may have a full schedule, but with the variety and versatility of these pill tracking devices, you won’t have to worry about the potentially dangerous (or just plain uncomfortable) side effects of missing your medication.

Medication management guide FAQ

Your doctor prescribes your medication regimen carefully to keep you healthy, but it’s up to you to keep your medications organized. Failing to take your medications as recommended can create serious problems like risky side effects and even addiction.

Using a medication tracker can help you with the stuff you need daily, but it gets tricky for other doses you may need every other day, once a week, or even twice a day.

Keep a list handy of all your medications, what they treat, how often you should take each, when they should be filled, and a list of side effects. You can use tools like spreadsheets to create a schedule or create one yourself.

Taking too much or too little of your medications or mixing the wrong ones at the wrong times can have serious side effects.

Dizziness and confusion, for example, can heighten your risk for falls and injuries.

Problems like weight loss, depression, skin irritation, and dry eyes or mouth are also common side effects of many medications. Consult your doctor about side effects that are bothering you—some might be temporary as you start a new med, but others are red flags.

Never be afraid to ask your pharmacist and doctor questions. It always helps to start with the basics:

  • How often should I take this? 
  • Is this an ongoing medication? 
  • Should I take this on an empty stomach?
  • How often should this prescription be refilled?
  • What time of day should I take this medication? 
  • What are the side effects? 

Take a list of your medications to your doctor appointments too. Your healthcare providers should know what medications you currently take before they prescribe new ones.

How we reviewed the best medication trackers

We chose medication tracking devices that not only organize your medications but remind you to take them. Here's what we prioritized:

Consider the following as you make your selection:

  • Flexibility: Will the device adapt easily to people's daily routines?
  • Price: Does it fit most budgets?
  • Usability: Is this device something people can easily set up and use?

We found classic pill organizers as well as unique devices like alarm clocks and wristwatches to cater to people with different needs and preferences.

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Disclaimer

*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Cathy Habas
Written by
Cathy Habas
With over eight years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

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