Medication+Compliance

=__ Why do people stop taking their medication? __=

A major challenge when treating individuals is getting them to take the medications as prescribed by their doctors. Many individuals will need extra support and encouragement in order to stay on their anti-psychotic medications.


 * Reasons, challenges and possible solutions to support medication compliance**

1) //**Clients believe by self medicating they will have less chance of experiencing side effects of prescribed medications**//
 * Education is essential for a client who is self medication, any information on substance use or concurrent disorders could be beneficial.
 * Families and loved ones should encourage the client to seek extra supports through individual counselling, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or a treatment facility such as Pinewood.

2) **//Their families or loved ones are constantly nagging or pressuring them to take their medications//**.
 * Open communication from families and loved one’s can help to encourage clients to stay on track with their meds.
 * The client needs to feel able to admit when they have missed a dose of meds, this can lead to open discussions as to “why” they have skipped a dose and what you can do as a support to help them maintain their doses.
 * Reassuring the client that the medications will help to stabilize them and gradually assist them to reach their personal goals. (Positive feedback about any progress being made will be encouraging)

3) **//A client may feel the medication isn’t necessary because they are not experiencing any symptoms.//**
 * Resources and information can educate clients on the benefits of staying on their medications. This can assist them is recognizing that the doses are helping to stabilize them and reducing the occurrences of their symptoms.

4) **//__The medication regimens are complicated and disorganized.__//**
 * An open communicating relationship with a pharmacist is extremely helpful. The pharmacist can offer ways to organize the medications more effectively such as; blister packs or dosettes.
 * Speaking with your doctor about making the medication schedule more manageable.
 * Using little reminders during the day can also help to remember when to take medications such as; timers, daily planner, post it notes, tracking charts on the fridge, checklists.

5) //**Denial of the illness and the stigma that is associated with it. By taking medication the client would be acknowledging that the illness exist.**//
 * Learning more about the illness may help to support medication compliance. Talk therapy on an individual basis could bring the client to terms with their illness.

6) //**The side effects of the medication seem more prominent than the benefits of the medication**//.
 * Common side effects may include:

Dry Mouth

Weight gain

Sleepiness/Sedation

Constipation

Suicidal thoughts

Dizziness

Sexual dysfunction


 * Clients can speak with their doctor about their side effects in order to improve their day to day functioning.(Taking their meds at night to reduce daytime drowsiness, drinking more water to combat dry mouth and constipation)

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