Medication reminder apps

Medication reminder apps

  • Medication reminder apps can help you keep track of your medicines and help you remember when to take them.
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For your medicines to work well, it's important to take them regularly at the right time – but remembering to do this isn't always easy. Medication reminder apps can help you keep track of your medicines and help you remember when to take them. 

  • They can let you set alarms or notifications to remind you when it's time to take your medication. This could be at specific times of day or after a certain duration. If you're taking several medicines, the app can manage different schedules and send reminders for each one.
  • You can log your medications, including the name, dosage, and schedule. Some apps let you track whether the medication was taken or skipped.
  • They can help by prompting you when it's time to refill your prescription.
  • Some apps offer additional features such as sending notifications to caregivers or whānau members so they can support you better in taking your medicines in the right way. 

Before choosing an app, think about how it will benefit you and what you want it to be able to do.

  • An app will only be helpful if you use it, so it needs to be something you like using and find easy to use.
  • If you find the app difficult to use, or you don't like the imagery or look of it, or the language it uses, you may want to find another one that suits you better.
  • For more guidance on how to choose health apps, see how to choose a health app.
  • It's important to remember that apps don’t replace professional help or your doctor’s advice.

App name  Features Clinical score

Medisafe Meds & Pill Reminder
  • Medication tracking history.
  • Flexible scheduling.
  • Compliance reminders and alerts.
  • Shape and colour identification feature.
  • Repeat or refill reminder.
  • Notification for other people.
  • Reports for sharing.
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes.
  • Cost: free.
  • Read more about Medisafe Meds & Pill Reminder
 4.5 star review

Medrec:M app
  • Medicine list/plan and tracking history.
  • Medicine reminders and alerts (via phone notifications).
  • Inventory tracking with refill reminder.
  • Symptom tracking, medical documents storage.
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes.
  • Cost: free.
  • Read more about Medrec:M
 3.5 star reiew

MyTherapy Meds & Pill Reminder
  • Medication tracking history.
  • Flexible scheduling.
  • Compliance reminders and alerts.
  • Reports for sharing.
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes.
  • Cost: free.
  • Read more about MyTherapy Meds & Pill Reminder
 2 star review

Common questions to ask about the medicines you are taking
Medicines – tips to remember
Consumer guide – how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide – how to choose a health app
Security and privacy of health apps
NZ Health App Library

Bibliography

The following references relate to articles about apps for medication adherence.

  1. Santo K, Singleton A, Rogers K, et al. Medication reminder applications to improve adherence in coronary heart disease– a randomised clinical trial.(external link) Heart 2018 
  2. Santo K, Richtering SS, Chalmers J, Thiagalingam A, et al. Mobile phone apps to Improve medication adherence – a systematic stepwise process to identify high-quality apps(external link) JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2016 Dec 2;4(4):e132
  3. Haase J, Farris KB, Dorsch MP. Mobile applications to improve medication adherence(external link) Telemed J E Health. 2016 Jun 1
  4. Nguyen E, Bugno L, Kandah C, et al. Is there a good app for that? Evaluating m-Health apps for strategies that promote pediatric medication adherence(external link). Telemed J E Health 2016 Apr 12 
  5. Davies MJ, Kotadia A, Mughal H, et al. The attitudes of pharmacists, students and the general public on mHealth applications for medication adherence(external link) Pharm Pract (Granada) 2015 Oct-Dec;13(4):644
  6. Becker S, Brandl C, Meister S, et al. Demographic and health related data of users of a mobile application to support drug adherence is associated with usage duration and intensity(external link) PLoS One 2015 Jan 28;10(1)
  7. DiDonato KL, Liu Y, Lindsey CC, et al. Community pharmacy patient perceptions of a pharmacy-initiated mobile technology app to improve adherence(external link) Int J Pharm Pract. 2015 Oct;23(5):309–19
  8. Heldenbrand S, Martin BC, Gubbins PO, et al. Assessment of medication adherence app features, functionality, and health literacy level and the creation of a searchable web-based adherence app resource for health care professionals and patients(external link) J Am Pharm Assoc. (2003) 2016 May-Jun;56(3):293–302
  9. Dayer L, Heldenbrand S, Anderson P, et al. Smartphone medication adherence apps – potential benefits to patients and providers(external link) J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2013 Mar-Apr; 53(2):172–181

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

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Read more at: https://healthify.nz/apps/m/medication-reminder-apps/
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