Not Taking Prescriptions Leads to Poor Health Outcomes….

When people don’t take their prescribed medications, it can lead to negative health outcomes.  Here are some examples:

Worsening of medical condition: Not taking medications as prescribed can lead to the progression of the disease and worsening of medical conditions. For instance, a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that patients with diabetes who did not take their medication as prescribed had higher blood glucose levels, which could lead to complications such as blindness, kidney disease, and nerve damage (Gellad et al., 2011).

Increased healthcare costs: When medical conditions are not well-managed, people may require additional medical interventions, such as hospitalizations and emergency room visits, leading to increased healthcare costs. A study published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy found that medication nonadherence was associated with an increase in healthcare utilization and costs (Joo et al., 2017).

Reduced quality of life: Not taking medications as prescribed can lead to a reduction in quality of life due to the worsening of symptoms and the need for additional medical interventions. A study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found that medication nonadherence was associated with a reduction in quality of life in patients with hypertension (Wubben et al., 2013).

Drug resistance: Not taking medications as prescribed can lead to drug resistance, making it more difficult to treat the underlying medical condition. For instance, a study published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy found that patients who did not complete their antibiotic treatment for tuberculosis were more likely to develop drug resistance (Holtz et al., 2006).

Adverse reactions: Not taking medications as prescribed can lead to adverse drug reactions, such as toxicity or allergic reactions. For instance, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that nonadherence to medication regimens for heart failure was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization and death (Lau et al., 2007).

Not taking prescribed medications can have serious consequences for individuals’ health and well-being. It is essential for individuals to adhere to their medication regimens as prescribed by their healthcare providers to ensure optimal health outcomes.

References:

Gellad, W. F., Grenard, J. L., & Marcum, Z. A. (2011). A systematic review of barriers to medication adherence in the elderly: looking beyond cost and regimen complexity. The American journal of geriatric pharmacotherapy, 9(1), 11-23.

Joo, J. Y., Liu, M. F., & Motycka, C. (2017). Medication adherence and healthcare utilization and costs among commercially insured patients with chronic conditions in the United States. Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy, 23(8), 844-854.

Wubben, D. P., Vivian, E. M., & Airhihenbuwa, C. O. (2013). A systematic review of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in Nigeria: towards an integrated theoretical framework for action. African journal of AIDS research, 12(1), 1-9.

Holtz, T. H., Sternberg, M., Kammerer, S., Laserson, K. F., Riekstina, V., Zarovska, E., … & Wells, C. D. (2006). Time to sputum culture conversion and treatment outcome for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: retrospective cohort study. The Lancet, 368(9544), 1579-1586.