Need a Resolution? Remember to Take Your Meds

Your medications won’t work if you don’t take them — that’s not new news. But, life gets busy and unfortunately, taking your medication isn’t always at top of mind. In 2020, there are so many different ways to remind yourself to stay adherent, there’s hardly an excuse to miss your dose.

Allergy drops following the La Crosse Method™ Protocol are effective, in part, because drops are taken three times a day. This provides constant stimulation of the dendritic cells — the cells that help your body build long-term allergic tolerance.

How can you remember to take all your medications as well as your allergy drops? We have a few ideas to keep you on track.

Keep it Simple

There are several “old school” options that have reminded patients to take their medications for years.

• Keep a Post-it Note reminder somewhere you look daily
• Keep medication by your calendar, and make a mark with each dose taken
• Keep medication by your toothbrush and take after you brush, or in the kitchen and take after meals

With every allergy drop prescription, we provide an allergy drop diary. Keep it with you in your purse, backpack, or by your drop bottle and make a mark on the diary with every dose.

Alexa , Remind Me To….

Alexa, the virtual assistant from Amazon, can do so many things. Why not try, “Alexa, remind me to take my medication at 8 a.m., 12 p.m., and 5 p.m.”? You’ll get a personalized, spoken reminder, which is pretty hard to ignore.

Some pharmacies are now linking with Alexa directly to remind you to take your medications. Alexa gets information about your prescription from the pharmacy and gives you up-to-date reminders. Bonus: you can even refill your medications.

Phone and Smart Watch Reminders

If you’re on the go and can’t rely on at-home reminders, take reminders with you by setting alarms on your phone or smart watch. Just don’t hit the snooze button over and over.

Search your App Store for medication management Apps. Many of them allow you to add reminders for daily doses, as well as a reminder to refill your medication, which is just as important (see below).

Remember to Refill

Adherence is also hindered if you’re medication runs out and you have a lapse in treatment as you wait for a refill. A gap in allergy treatment specifically, can lengthen your overall treatment. Missing your other medications can sometimes be serious, or even life threatening. Sign up for refill reminders or automatic refills to make sure there is no lapse in your treatment.

Make it your New Year’s Resolution to stay adherent with your medications and allergy treatment. Which tool will you use to keep yourself on track?

With allergy drops, research shows that dose frequency may be as important, or even more important, to patient success than the dose amount. Allergy drops treatment modifies allergic disease; it doesn’t just relieve symptoms, it helps your body build tolerance to offending allergens. Staying adherent is key to being successful in the shortest amount of time with this treatment.