Why is Medication Management Different for Patients with PD?

For patients with many diseases, medications are a routine repeated on a daily basis.  Though many diseases are managed by taking a number of pills during the course of a day, what makes managing PD different is that those medications can change hourly or daily.  So, it may be harder to keep track of what is needed.

Why is it Important to Stick to the prescribed Medication Regiment?

Because PD medication may be helping a patient to move more freely it is important that patients stick to the regiment strictly so that “on-time” lasts as long as possible.  (“On-time” is the time the patient is moving freely, as opposed to “off-time” when a patient may freeze or find it more difficult to move.) 

It is also important for patients to stick to their regiment so that doctors can adjust medications easily when the regiment is not working.  If your loved one does change the regiment, or miss doses, it’s important to tell the doctor so s/he can make adjustments based on what your loved one is really taking.

How Can I Keep Track of Medications?

For patients with a relatively routine regiment, a 4-times-a-day pill box, like the one in the video, can be very helpful.  If you have a large number of pills, fill the boxes a week in advance.  This will allow you to order prescriptions that will run out next week, so you can avoid the last minute rush to the pharmacy.

If you have a regiment that changes frequently, use the Medication Tracking Sheet.  Print out copies so you can fill it in each week and check off the medications as they are used.  This is also helpful for Nurses Aids or family members who are helping out.