It is common for people to unintentionally forget to take their prescription. It happens every day to people across the country. It can slip our mind, you get home later than expected, or you get sidetracked by something else. It happens.
The severity and potential implications of missing a dose will depend on your medication and the condition being treated. If you have a severe medication condition, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to get specific instruction about how to go ahead with your medication after a missed dose.
Below we’ll provide you with some steps you can take if you miss your prescription for the day:
The General Rule About Missed Prescriptions
In most cases, if you miss your pill or medicine unintentionally, it is recommended that you simply wait to take your next dose at the scheduled time. Take the normal amount and get back on schedule. Never take a higher amount than your doctor prescribed.
Generally, if you remember you missed your dose within an hour or so, it is okay to go ahead and take it. This is particularly the case if you are only taking a dose once or twice per day. If you are required to take 3 or 4 doses per day, it may be okay to skip the dose and wait until the next scheduled dose.
Never Assume You Can Just Take Your Medication Whenever You Remember
Never assume it is okay to just take your medication as soon as you remember to. You are told to take specific doses at specific time intervals for a reason. Having too much or too little of a medication could have ill advised health effects.
It Depends on The Prescription
No two prescriptions are the same. What you do after a missed prescription depends on these factors:
- The type of medication
- How often you are instructed to take it by your doctor
- The health condition you are treating
- Your current health and wellness
- Whether or not you are taking other medications at the time
- Other considerations specific to your lifestyle
Read The Label
Always read the label of your medication bottle. Most prescriptions come with specific instructions about how to take the medication. Always keep these instructions just in case you find yourself in a situation where you forgot to take it. How you are to go ahead with dosage will change based on the medication type and other factors specific to your health. If you label does not supply instructions, call your pharmacist.
Call Your Pharmacist
Pharmacists do a lot more than just fill prescriptions. They are a health care resource for you to consult when you have questions about your medication. What to do when you forget to take your pill is a perfect example of other ways pharmacists can help you. Call your pharmacist and explain your situation. They will be able to instruct you for how you should go ahead with your medication and if you should adjust your dosage.
