4 signs that your medication is not working

For many seniors, their well-being requires a good medical plan that, sometimes, lasts indefinitely.

As the years go by, our health loses strength and does not respond as before. After the age of 60, the metabolism changes, and it does not respond in the same way to certain diseases.

This is when what are known as age ailments appear, and we make greater use of drugs and other supplements that help us preserve therapeutic adherence. However, on certain occasions it may be difficult to understand whether daily intakes are being effective or not.

Is your medication not working like before?

We tend to feel doubts about the medical plan when we do not see results in the short or medium term. It is also common to feel afraid when asking about the state of our health, or to think that certain side effects are related to the normal course of treatment.

In any case, it is always important to know our condition and what we can expect. In this blog you will find 4 signs that your medication may not be working.

However, before making any changes to the medication, we must ensure that our health care provider endorses it, and we do not make decisions independently.

IMA only proposes some of the symptoms that, perhaps, indicate that the drugs are not having an effect.

1. You feel that the excess medication is overwhelming you

When we must consume a high number of pills, it is understandable that the organization and management of medication it becomes difficult for us.

Although we cannot doubt the judgment of our healthcare professional, there may be alternatives in which the number of pills is reduced.

We talk about deprescribing. A process based on reducing the number of medications to enhance adherence and economic savings. An example of this would be replacing 2 500 mg pills with one 1g pill.

Furthermore, this fact can be of great help when organizing medication, and not forgetting any daily intake. A very effective tool to complement deprescribing and promote adherence are SPDs, For example.

Above all, it is about considering whether the treatment we are applying is going to do good for the patient.

Gema Flox, internist at the Severo Ochoa University Hospital in Leganés and secretary of the SEMI Palliative Care Working Group, explains it like this:

"We have to change the way we see things. Above all, it is about considering whether the treatment we are applying is going to do the patient good, if it is not going to cause harm, if the patient understands the therapy and its side effects."

2. Appearance of side effects, allergies or adverse effects

Side effects usually occur when we take 5 or more medications. However, these situations should not be normalized, ensuring that the current circumstance is within the expected framework.

You should also consider at all times which medications you are allergic to, and communicate this immediately. Allergies can develop over time, so a treatment must be reviewed and, if allergies occur, always consult with the prescriber.

3. The medication is not effective

As we mentioned at the beginning of the post, sometimes we can start a treatment that takes a while to give a response in the short or medium term. Of course, it is always advisable to check how long it is estimated to take to take effect.

On the other hand, a drug that has worked perfectly may stop working after a while.

In both cases, we recommend asking the following questions:

• • Am I taking the medication correctly?
  • Are there alternative medications that may work better?
  • Are there drug interactions that prevent the drug from being effective?

We also recommend checking that you are carrying out the treatment as prescribed, and that you organize the medication correctly:

• • Have I missed any shots?
  • Do I have good adherence to treatment?
  • Do I respect pre-established schedules?

Depending on the response, you may need to change your dose or change your habits. If you think the answer may be the first option, do not hesitate to consult with your doctor.

4. Cost is a big problem

Currently medication is only free for a very specific segment of the population. The co-payment may vary depending on work and social situation. This means that a large number of patients have to face part of the expenses involved in their medical treatment.

Although there are alternatives for people at risk of social exclusion, not everyone has access to them. This triggers bad habits that should be avoided at all costs:

• • Failure to complete prescribed medical treatment
  • Use drugs only when you feel bad
  • Tpartially omit the medication, postponing doses or reducing the dose
  • Lying about the state of health, downplaying symptoms that must be treated.

Before making these types of medication changes, talk to your doctor to make sure there are no cheaper alternatives. We talked to you about it in our previous post: Pharmaceutical poverty: The great enemy of therapeutic adherence.

If you have any questions, always contact a professional

If you identify with any of the problems mentioned, it is time to take action.

Your doctor will always give you greater clarity about what may be happening to your body, and how to improve your state of health.

Before starting a treatment, remember to ask all your questions to be prepared and avoid mistakes in the future.

Disclaimer: At IMA we offer advice and information about our products. Consult with an expert before making any decision that may affect your health.