6 Best Medication Tracking Devices

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.