Forgot To Take Your Diabetes Medication? Here’s What You Should Know

When you are prescribed certain oral medications for the management of your type 2 diabetes, it is extremely important to take your medications regularly. For some individuals, the need may arise to take diabetes medications multiple times a day.

Medication adherence (which translates to correctly taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor) is of prime significance for those with diabetes. Missing a dose or several doses can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, which can further lead to severe diabetic complications.

Read on to know what steps to undertake if you miss a dose of your diabetes medication and when is it essential to consult your doctor.

Steps To Undertake When You Miss A Dose

If you forget to take a dose of your oral diabetes medication, you need to take the dose as soon as possible after you have realised your forgetfulness. That said, if a few hours have passed by since forgetting the dose of medication and you are inching closer to your next dose, you may skip the forgotten dose and take the subsequent dose at the regular time, without fail. Keep in mind not to double the dose.

The next step involves calling your doctor and asking about your specific diabetes medication and what they recommend.

Your medication (as well as the website of your specific brand of medication) is available with a patient information packet that empowers you with knowledge on the things to do when you forget a dose. It is extremely useful to preserve this leaflet in a safe place.

When To Consult Your Doctor

It is vital to speak to your doctor if you have some relevant questions or concerns regarding your medications or if you are beginning to experience newer symptoms. You must call your doctor if:

You Are Demonstrating Symptoms Of Hyperglycaemia

If you forget in taking multiple doses and begin demonstrating symptoms of hyperglycaemia, call your doctor immediately. Your doctor may want to conduct a physical check-up. Therefore, you must be ready to schedule an appointment.

You Are Forgetting Your Dose Because Of Too Many Pills

If you are missing the doses of your diabetes medications because there are too many pills to take every day or it is extremely arduous to keep track of them, consult your doctor to come up with some options. In such a scenario, your doctor may prescribe a combination pill that contains multiple drugs. This will drastically reduce the total number of pills that need to be taken each day.

You Are Skipping Doses Deliberately

Speak to your doctor if skipping doses of your diabetes medication is deliberate because of the onset of some side effects or mounting costs. In such cases, your doctor will discuss several other options with you for the management of diabetes without medication.

There are several diverse classes of drugs available, and some medications may be more tolerable with you in comparison with others. There may also be cheaper options than the medication that you have been prescribed.

You need to remember that side effects are only witnessed in the initial few weeks post-consumption of prescription medication. In some cases, intaking the medication in combination with a meal may help in reducing uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects that may arise in the initial weeks of treatment.

On a Final Note:

Diabetes medications must be taken around the same time each day; hence, it is crucial not to forget to take a dose on time.

Missing a dose of oral medications may lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. That said, the increase in the latter will depend on the total amount of carbohydrates consumed and your level of physical activity.

Missing doses frequently can elevate your risks of developing blindness, heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney disease.

When you miss a dose of your medication, you must take it immediately after remembering. However, if it is quite close to the time of your subsequent dose, skip the forgotten dose and take the next dose as scheduled. If you end up missing multiple doses, you must take them as and when you remember.

Lastly, you need to consult your doctor if you begin demonstrating symptoms of hyperglycaemia or if you have certain specific concerns about your medications.