Key takeaways:

• One in ten Americans are forced to skip doses of essential medication
• Rising prescription drug prices are a major contributor skipping doses
• Breaking a medication schedule can exacerbate existing conditions or lead to new health complications

Maintaining a medication schedule is both essential and financially challenging. Learn the risks of skipping a dose and how we can help.

Skipping a dose can take several dangerous forms. The first is simply forgetting, or worse – voluntarily foregoing one or more of your medications. The second is taking a reduced dose, such as cutting a pill in half in the mistaken belief that something is better than nothing. The third is attempting to replace drugs prescribed by your healthcare provider with over-the-counter alternatives.

A principal cause of missing a dose is high – and consistently increasing – prescription drug prices. Our earlier blog explored how hundreds of medications have already seen a price increase of 5% to 6% in 2022, and how this has worsened an already significant financial struggle for those managing chronic conditions. These escalating costs can force even the most responsible person into the dangerous decision to stagger doses to try to make prescriptions last longer.

This is a very dangerous practice and one the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates causes 30% to 50% of failures in chronic disease treatment and 125,000 deaths annually . Skipping doses causes more harm than good, but there is an option to help make maintaining a regular medication schedule easier.

The consequences of missed doses in temporary treatments

Stretching your prescription dollar by skipping medication has a far more costly impact because it further compromises your health. Existing conditions that become worse will only lead to more treatment – and more expense.

Medications are prescribed on a dosing schedule simply because regular dosing is essential to their efficacy, whether this involves applying a topical cream, taking birth control pills, painkillers or other medication. The necessary dosage at correct intervals is a fine balance that should never be altered without medical approval. This golden rule applies whether your medication is long-term or short-term.

In addition to the added expense and prolonged treatment, there are several serious consequences of skipping a dose. For example, a temporary course of antibiotics, often used to treat conditions such as ear infections, urinary tract infections and strep, that is not completed on schedule through the final dosage can fail to cure an infection. missing a dose of your antibiotic could require further doses of the antibiotic treatment and allow the bacteria to exist for an extended period and lead to more serious side effects.

Both these factors increase the risk of developing antibiotic resistance, making it more difficult – and once again, more costly – to resolve the issue. The CDC has noted antibiotic resistance as a growing problem, which can sometimes make curing an infection with antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, or doxycycline impossible, while increasing the chances of spreading harmful bacterial infections to other people.

The risks of dose skipping with chronic conditions such as High Blood Pressure and Diabetes

Chronic conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes can exist for extended periods and often for life. These illnesses are a constant danger unless they are managed daily, with even a single missed dose potentially posing a problem.

In his study of drug discontinuation effects , Dr. Marcus M. Reidenberg notes that “rebound hypertension occurs after abrupt cessation of many antihypertensive drugs.” This means that the millions of Americans suffering from high blood pressure are at additional risk of having a stroke, angina, or heart attack if they skip doses. This is in addition to the pronounced danger of those events they already face. Dr. Reidenberg states that even a low dose of aspirin neglected for five days could cause death.

Missing even a single dose can also interfere with the body’s chemical balance. These symptoms can seem like relatively common complaints and therefore run the risk of being overlooked. Such symptoms include sleep trouble, increased tiredness, and headaches, while more noticeable signs can include increased anxiety and mood swings.

Managing diabetes can be one of the most expensive challenges of all. Engaging in regular exercise has many wellness benefits, but it can be an effective aid in controlling diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity, positively impacting blood sugar levels, and lowering blood pressure. Skipping doses, on the other hand, can lead to negative impact on blood sugar levels even from the first day of missed medications .

The dangers of overdosing

There is another dangerous practice with prescription medicine that is opposite of skipping doses – overcompensating for missed doses by taking more medication than is recommended at once. This extra dose will not magically return your condition to equilibrium. Instead, a double dose could disrupt the prescribed schedule and can result in medical emergency with serious and potentially fatal side effects.

It is generally recommended to wait until it’s time to take your next dose before resuming medication, rather than choosing to double up. You should always seek medical advice and speak to your pharmacist or healthcare professional if you’re struggling to maintain a medication schedule and have missed doses, whether voluntarily or otherwise. Don’t be afraid to be honest about this, as they may be able to provide information on more affordable generic alternatives and can best advise you on how to return to a safe dosage.

Our previous blog explored how generic medications can be just as effective as brand names and could save patients between 80% and 85% on their prescription drug prices. Another good way to establish a dedicated prescription schedule is to become fully informed on your condition. This knowledge will help you to understand the consequences of dose changes more fully and to make more proactive and responsible choices.

How ModRN Health can help keep you on schedule with your pills and prescriptions

Using ModRN Health can be of further financial relief for the 18 million Americans who can’t afford the drugs they need, causing 1 in 10 of those patients to start missing doses . We provide preventative knowledge and the potential for big savings on prescription drug prices by helping you compare costs between different pharmacies to locate the best deal nearest to you. You can also set SMS or email reminders to ensure you don’t forget to fill your next prescription!

Our service provides a growing number of resources designed to keep you informed on important medical news. Our users also enjoy easy access to in-depth details about their medical conditions and practical advice on how to manage them. You can open a free account to get started today on making medication schedules less stressful and more affordable.