Of the 2 billion prescriptions filled each year, about half are taken improperly!  In light of this shocking finding, the American Heart Association has identified noncompliance as a national hidden health threat.  But what is noncompliance anyway?  Noncompliance is simply taking your medicine-or not taking it as the case may be-in any way that differs from the way your health care provider prescribed it to be taken. 

Common noncompliance errors include forgetting to take your medicine when you are supposed to, discontinuing taking your medication prematurely, taking the incorrect dosage, combining your medication with an inappropriate food or beverage, or even taking someone else's medication!  Noncompliance can result in consequences ranging from unpleasant side effects of the medication to exacerbated symptoms of the condition it was being used for, or even ineffectiveness of the medication.  Glaring problems resulting from noncompliance include increased antibiotic resistance, unwanted pregnancies, and significantly increased costs of healthcare.  For more information, click here.

Created: 10/23/2001  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.