Medication non-adherence is the intentional or unconscious failure to take medications exactly as prescribed by healthcare professionals. It remains to be one of the leading health concerns in the United States. As a matter of fact, it has been reported that as many as 75% of chronically ill patients fail to adhere to their doctor’s prescribed medications. This may seem harmless, but the truth is that it can lead to far-reaching consequences.
As one of the best providers of home care services in Riverside, California, A + Home Care Services, Inc feels like there is a need to discuss the negative consequences arising from medication non-adherence. Read on to find out what these are.
- ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Did you know that there are potentially serious health consequences that can result from not complying with your prescribed medications? Because of failing to comply with the instructions of healthcare professionals, patients’ health and well-being are put at stake.
(a) Antibiotics
Antibiotics are formulated to treat diseases caused by bacterial infection, such as tuberculosis and urinary tract infection. Healthcare professionals prescribe the period of how long a patient should take antibiotics. Unfortunately, some do not follow it religiously. This results in antibiotic resistance—meaning, the antibiotic can no longer get rid of the bacteria in the body. As a consequence, the infection worsens.
(b) Immunosuppressive Drugs
Immunosuppressive drugs are also called as anti-rejection drugs. They are usually prescribed to patients who are about to undergo a transplant. These drugs make the body less likely to reject a transplanted organ. Thus, it is necessary for patients to fully adhere to its use. In a study, researchers have found that non-adherence to immunosuppressive drugs has led to a number of heart, kidney, and liver traailures.
- ON MEDICAL DECISIONS
Medication non-adherence can also affect medical decisions. For instance, healthcare professionals might recommend a certain drug so as to prevent a possible surgery. When you do not take the said drug, healthcare professionals have no other choice but to proceed with the surgery. We all know that surgeries can be a risky procedure. Another situation is when your body develops an antibiotic resistance. Healthcare professionals might give you a more potent drug to kill the bacterial infection.
- ON MEDICAL CARE EXPENSES
One of the reasons why patients fail to comply with their medications is that they are costly. Medicines can be pricey. However, the consequences of not taking your prescribed medications significantly cost higher. Surgeries are more expensive than antibiotics.
- ON QUALITY OF LIFE
Medication non-adherence can also affect your quality of life. Instead of staying at home and doing things you love, you spend most of your days in the hospital bed. This means you have to miss out on school, work, family events, reunion, and more. This can also cause your loved ones to worry about your health condition.
Remembering to take your medications can be a challenge, especially if you are prescribed with more than two. You can resort to in-home care services to assist you. A care provider can remind you when it’s time to take your medications. Even though a reminder may seem small, it’s a bigger issue if you forget to take your medication entirely.
