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Compliance with medication

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Rates of non-compliance with medication vary from 8-95% with an average of 40-50%. Non-compliance may be due to:

  • failure of communication: the doctor may not have explained the treatment adequately or may not have detected that the patient did not want medication or not for that problem. Note that not taking treatment is the patient's right. See Models of the consultation and Explaining prescriptions

  • complexity of regimen: patients need to be very obsessional to obey a four times a day drug regimen or cope with polypharmacy. Simple regimens and aids such as drug cards, written instructions and dosset boxes can help the patient take medication correctly.

  • side effects: some side effects may be inevitable but doctors should ask about any side effects and alter treatment to one better tolerated wherever possible.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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