Managing diabetes requires consistency and diligence, especially when it comes to taking medication.
Life’s demands—busy schedules, family responsibilities, and work commitments—can often make it easy to forget a dose. On top of that, managing multiple medications can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re already navigating other aspects of diabetes care.
Concerns about side effects might also lead to hesitation, and the high cost of medications can be a significant barrier for many individuals. Yet, consistently taking your medication is critical to controlling blood sugar levels and avoiding complications.
From building habits to finding ways to make your medications more affordable—like Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs) that can help with prescription drugs—get practical, real-life strategies to take control of your treatment and make living with diabetes just a little easier.
The Importance of Medication Adherence for Diabetes
When blood glucose is not properly controlled, it can lead to severe health problems, including nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, kidney issues, and vision loss.
Moreover, skipping doses or inconsistently taking your medication can quickly lead to blood sugar fluctuations. The ups and downs make it harder to achieve stable blood glucose levels, increasing the likelihood of both short-term and long-term complications.
Adhering to your medication plan means you’re taking control of your diabetes, actively working to maintain a healthier life.
Common Challenges in Staying Adherent
Forgetfulness or a Busy Lifestyle
Life can be hectic, making it easy to forget something as routine as taking a pill. Juggling work, family, and other commitments can interfere with the best-laid plans.
Difficulty Managing Multiple Medications
Many individuals with diabetes take more than one medication. When you’re managing multiple prescriptions, keeping everything straight can feel overbearing.
Concerns About Side Effects
Experiencing side effects might make some people hesitant to take their medications regularly. They may fear that the adverse effects outweigh the benefits of the medication.
Cost of Medication
The financial burden of diabetes medications is real for many people. Not being able to afford refills or having to ration medication can make consistent adherence challenging.
Practical Tips for Never Missing a Dose
While the challenges may be significant, there are plenty of tools and strategies that can make a big difference. Here are some practical tips to ensure you never miss a dose of your diabetes medication:
1. Use Reminders and Alerts
Technology can be one of your greatest allies when it comes to staying adherent. Set alarms or reminders on your smartphone, smartwatch, or other smart devices to alert you when it’s time to take your medication.
There are also specific apps designed to track your medication schedule, send reminders, and log whether you’ve taken each dose. Finding a solution that integrates well into your daily routine can make a huge difference in staying on track.
2. Incorporate Medications into Daily Routines
Linking your medication to a specific everyday activity is a simple way to improve adherence. For example, if you take medication with meals, always place your pill bottle next to your breakfast or dinner plates.
Another effective way is to keep your medication next to your toothbrush or coffee maker—tying it to another activity that you already do daily increases the chances of success.
3. Use Pill Organizers and Weekly Planning
Pill organizers can be a game-changer for anyone taking multiple medications. By planning out an entire week’s worth of pills in a pillbox, you can easily keep track of whether you’ve taken your dose each day.
Make filling up your pillbox a weekly habit—perhaps every Sunday evening—to ensure you’re ready for the week ahead.
4. Leverage Technology
Beyond alarms, many smart devices can help with medication adherence. Smart pill dispensers, for example, not only remind you to take your medication but also dispense the correct dosage.
Some can even connect to your smartphone to alert you and track your doses, providing additional support to stay on top of your treatment.
Dealing with Cost-Related Challenges
The cost of diabetes medications can be prohibitive, especially when newer drugs are often more expensive, and insurance coverage can be inconsistent. Financial challenges can be one of the biggest barriers to proper medication adherence. However, there are resources available to help.
Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs) can provide vital support for those struggling to afford their diabetes medications. PAPs are designed to help individuals get their prescriptions at a reduced cost, and in some cases, for free.
Many pharmaceutical companies, non-profit organizations, and government programs offer prescription assistance, making medication more accessible to those in need.
If the high cost of medication has been preventing you from staying consistent with your treatment, explore these programs. Using a prescription assistance program ensures that affordability doesn’t stand between you and your health.
What to Do if You Miss a Dose
No matter how many systems you put in place, it’s still possible to miss a dose occasionally. If that happens, the most important thing is not to panic. Instead:
- Follow Your Healthcare Provider’s Guidance: Your treatment plan might have specific instructions for missed doses. If you’re unsure, contact your healthcare provider for guidance on what to do next.
- Do Not Double Up: Unless explicitly directed by your healthcare provider, do not double your dose to make up for a missed one. Doubling up could lead to adverse effects and might be harmful.
- Make It a Learning Opportunity: Use a missed dose as an opportunity to reassess your medication routine. Identify why you missed it and take steps to address that gap so it doesn’t become a recurring problem.
- Set a Backup Reminder: If you missed a dose, it may be helpful to add a secondary reminder to your routine. This could be an extra alarm or a note somewhere visible. Having a backup system in place can prevent future forgetfulness.
Need Financial Help with Prescription Drugs?
We know that staying consistent with your diabetes medication can be challenging—especially when cost becomes an obstacle.
If you’re spending more than $50 per month on any of your prescriptions, Health Access Now can help. Our prescription assistance services can help make your medication more affordable, ensuring cost doesn’t stand in the way of your health.
Simply visit our website to search for the prescriptions you need and find out if you qualify for assistance in your state. Once you qualify, our team will handle the application process and guide you every step of the way.