You probably don’t think much about taking your medications. You swallow a pill, use an inhaler or apply a cream and then go about your day.
But even when you try your best, small medication mistakes can happen. You might forget a dose, stop taking medicine because you feel better or accidentally mix medications that shouldn’t be taken together.
These mistakes happen more often than you might think. Many people make medication errors without realizing it. Some mistakes may not cause serious harm, but others can make your treatment less effective or cause side effects.
The good news is that most medication mistakes are easy to fix. We spoke with Mitchell Timbol, PharmD, a registered pharmacist with Banner Pharmacy Services, about the most common medication mistakes, why they happen and what you can do to avoid or fix them.
Mistake 1: You miss a dose and then double up
Everyone forgets a dose from time to time. The mistake often happens afterward.
“Many people assume that if they miss a dose, they should double the next one to catch up but that can have consequences,” Dr. Timbol said. “For many medications, doubling up can increase side effects or be dangerous.”
Depending on the medication, taking extra doses could lead to:
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood sugar
- Excessive bleeding
- Increased drowsiness
- Other serious side effects like seizures or venous thromboembolism
How to fix it: Different medications have different missed dose instructions. There is no one-size-fits-all rule. If you miss a dose:
- Check the instructions (insert) that come with your medication
- Contact your pharmacist or health care provider if you’re unsure what to do
- Do not take an extra dose unless you’ve been specifically instructed to do so
- Use a pill holder that has compartments for each day
Mistake 2: You take medications with the wrong food or drink
Certain medications may need to be taken with food, while others should be taken on an empty stomach. Some medications don’t mix well with certain foods, which can make your treatment less effective and potentially cause dangerous side effects.
For example:
- Dairy: Interferes with the absorption of antibiotics
- Fiber supplement: Impact on the effectiveness of metformin (diabetes drug)
- Grapefruit juice: Interacts with certain statins, high blood pressure, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and abnormal heart rhythm medications
- Foods rich in vitamin K: Can reduce the effectiveness of some blood thinners
How to avoid it: Read the instructions on your medication label or package insert carefully. If you are unsure about food or drink interactions, ask your pharmacist for guidance.
Mistake 3: You mix medications and over-the-counter (OTC) products
Taking multiple medications at once is common but it can sometimes cause drug interactions. This is especially true if you use OTC products or herbal supplements.
For example:
- Some cholesterol-lowering drugs, when combined with certain high blood pressure medications, can cause muscle pain
- Some cold medications can raise blood pressure
- Certain supplements can affect blood clotting
- Antacids may interfere with medication absorption
- St. John’s wort can interact with many prescription drugs
How to fix it: Dr. Timbol recommends keeping an updated list of everything you take, including:
- Prescription medications
- OTC medications
- Herbal supplements
- Vitamins
- Protein powders and nutritional products
Share the list with your health care providers and pharmacist. Before starting anything new, ask whether it will interact with your current medications.
Mistake 4: Not following medication instructions
Taking your medication is only part of the process. How and when you take it can also affect how well it works. Ignoring instructions can make medications less effective and increase the risk of side effects like upset stomach.
Many medicines come with specific instructions to help your body absorb them properly or to reduce side effects. Some need to be taken on an empty stomach, while others work best when taken with food. Some are more effective in the morning, and others are better taken at night.
“For example, thyroid medications are often recommended to be taken early in the morning right after waking up because they don’t absorb well if taken with food or supplements,” Dr. Timbol said.
How to fix it: When you start a new medication, ask your pharmacist:
- Should I take this with food or on an empty stomach?
- What time of day works best?
- Are there foods, drinks or medications I should avoid? What timing adjustments are needed?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
Mistake 5: Crushing or cutting pills without checking first
Many people have trouble swallowing pills. Some break, crush or open their pills to make swallowing easier. However, this can cause problems.
“Medications labeled as delayed-release, time-release or extended-release should usually not be crushed, split or opened unless a pharmacist or provider says it's OK," Dr. Timbol said. "Changing these pills can cause the medicine to be released too quickly, which can make it less effective or increase side effects.”
How to fix it: Before splitting, crushing or opening any medication:
- Read the label carefully
- Check with your pharmacist
- Ask for another dosage form if available, such as liquid, dissolvable tablet or smaller pill
[Also read: Why You Might Want to Split Your Pills.]
Mistake 6: Trying to manage a complicated medication schedule alone
If you take many medicines, it can be hard to keep track of them all. Different times to take your pills, food instructions and other directions can make organizing difficult.
How to fix it: Many people don’t know that pharmacists can help make a simpler medication schedule.
“We can often help reduce the number of times you need to take medicine each day while still keeping it safe," said Dr. Timbol. "For example, if someone takes eight to 10 medicines, a pharmacist might be able to bring that down to three or four times a day, instead of spreading out pills all day long."
Ask your pharmacist to check your medicines and help you create a plan. Using tools like pill organizers, phone reminders and medication apps can also make it easier.
[Also read: Steps to Help Seniors Manage Their Medication.]
Mistake 7: Stopping medication when you start feeling better
When your symptoms improve, you might think you don’t need your medication anymore. This happens often with antibiotics, blood pressure medication and mental health medicines.
But feeling better doesn’t always mean your illness is gone. Stopping treatment too early can let your symptoms come back or make the medicine less effective.
For example, stopping antibiotics too soon might not fully cure an infection. Stopping some antidepressants or blood pressure medicines suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms and other health problems.
How to fix this: Always follow the treatment plan. If you want to stop taking your medicine, ask your provider or pharmacist first if you should slowly reduce the dose.
Mistake 8: Taking someone else’s medicine
If a family member has a medication that helped them, you might feel tempted to try it. But medications are prescribed for specific people, at specific doses and for specific health issues. A medicine that is safe for someone else could be dangerous for you.
How to fix it: Always use medicines that are prescribed just for you. If you have symptoms that worry you, talk to your health care provider instead of borrowing medicine from someone else.
Mistake 9: Using medication past its expiration date
You might find an old bottle of medicine in your cabinet and wonder if it’s still safe to use. Some medicines remain effective after their expiration date but others may lose their potency. Also, certain medicines can break down when exposed to heat, moisture or sunlight.
How to fix it: Check the expiration date of your medicines often. Safely dispose of any that have expired and replace them when needed. Many pharmacies, hospitals and community groups have programs to take back old medicines.
When should you call a pharmacist, your doctor or Poison Control?
Some medication mistakes can be fixed with a quick phone call. Others need immediate medical help.
“Poison Control is often the best first call for medication mistakes because they can quickly see how serious it is and tell you if you need to watch, get help or go to the emergency room," said Dr. Timbol.
Call Poison Control if:
- Your child or pet might have taken medicine by accident
- You took the wrong medicine or too much
- You accidentally took someone else’s medicine
The national Poison Help line is 1-800-222-1222.
Talk to your provider or pharmacist if you:
- Miss doses regularly
- Have side effects
- Are unsure how to take your medicine or want to split, crush, or change a dose
Seek emergency help (call 911 or go to the ER) if you have:
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling of your face or throat
- Chest pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction
Bottom line
Medication mistakes happen to almost everyone at some point. The important thing is knowing how to respond and where to get help. Work closely with your pharmacist or health care provider to get the most benefit from your medication while avoiding unnecessary risks.
Frequently asked questions about medication mistakes.
What should I do if I miss a dose of medication?
It depends on the medication. Follow the instructions that come with your prescription and ask your pharmacist or provider if you're not sure. Do not take two doses unless told to do so.
Is it okay to take medication at different times every day?
It depends on the medication. Some medicines can be taken at flexible times but others need to be taken at the same time each day or at regular intervals. Ask your pharmacist what timing is safe for your medicine.
Can I take all my medications together?
Not always. Some medicines need to be spaced out or taken with food, while others can be taken without food. Check with your pharmacist before combining doses.
Can I crush pills if I have trouble swallowing?
Don’t crush pills without checking first. Some medicines have special coatings or release medicine slowly. Your provider or pharmacist may suggest a liquid, smaller pill or other options.
Should I take medication with food?
It depends on the medicine. Some should be taken with food to avoid stomach upset, while others need an empty stomach to work best.
What if I accidentally take two doses?
It depends on the medicine and how much you took. Call your pharmacist, provider or poison control for advice. If you have trouble breathing, fainting, chest pain, confusion or severe sleepiness, get urgent medical help.
How can I remember to take my medicine?
Use phone alarms, pill organizers, medication apps or stick to daily routines. You can also ask your provider or pharmacist if your schedule can be simplified.
