Oral treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) have made treatment easier and more convenient than ever for those who are eligible.
However, one possible downfall of oral medication is that you have to remember to take it, often daily. Some people have a hard time remembering to take a pill each day.
“If somebody forgets to take their medications regularly, it does open them up to having increased disease activity,” says Asaff Harell, MD, Neurologist and Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
If you stop taking your MS medication, it could potentially trigger a relapse or a flare-up of your symptoms, says Harell. While sometimes these flare-ups are mild, others can be more serious and cause severe symptoms that might even require rehabilitation.
What are tips to help you remember to take your MS medication?
Some tips to help you remember to take your medication include:
Set a phone alarm to remind yourself to take it
Use a phone app that reminds you to take it
Use a pill box or organizer
Build it into your routine and take it around the same time daily, such as when you brush your teeth in the morning
Keep your medication in the same place so that it’s easy to find, in a place you go to daily
What should you do if you continue to forget to take your medication?
If you are struggling to remember to take your medication as prescribed, talk to your provider. They may have additional tips that are helpful.
In some cases, your healthcare provider may suggest a different type of medication that isn’t oral, such as infusions or injections. These options can be taken less often and may fit your lifestyle better.
The bottom line
It can be tough to remember to take your oral medication to treat MS each day, but missing a dose may increase your risk of a relapse. Some ways to remember to take it are to set a phone alarm or a phone app to remind you, use a pill organizer, take it at the same time each day, and keep your medication in the same place. If you’re still struggling, talk to your provider about alternative medications such as infusions or injections.
Why trust our experts?
Asaff Harel, MD, is a Neurologist specializing in multiple sclerosis and related neuro-immunological conditions, serving as the Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health.
References
Eagle, Tessa, et al. (2017). Treatment satisfaction across injectable, infusion, and oral disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.
Kim, Woojun, et al. (2015). Oral disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis. Journal of Clinical Neurology.
National Library of Medicine. (2020). Taking medicine at home – create a routine.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (n.d.). Managing relapses in multiple sclerosis.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (n.d.). Treatments and medications.
