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Updated August 18, 2015.

A number of other personal issues may effect your medication adherence. If one of these 8 scenarios impacts your medication compliance, the solutions we mention may help you obtain better asthma control.

1. You stop taking medication because you do not feel it is working. Before you stop taking any asthma medication you should discuss what is going on with your doctor, unless you feel that you are having an allergic reaction. If you have symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, cough, or shortness of breath that are not responding to treatment, you need to talk with your doctor. It could be that you are not getting enough medication, you could have an incorrect diagnosis, or something else. However, the answer is hardly ever just stopping on your own.

1. You stop medications because you feel they will stop working if used too much. This statement is somewhat true when your rescue inhaler is being overused. Your doctor may be concerned that you will not respond to the rescue inhaler if overused. If you are using your rescue inhaler more than twice per week, you need to make changes to your controller medication. There is not concern that regular use of your controller medication will lead to decreased efficacy.
2. You felt good and decided that you did not need your asthma medication. Asthma is a chronic disease. This means that it will usually never just go away. Asthma is controlled, but not cured, with medications. Many patients will expereince periods of time where their asthma is well controlled, but symptoms can come back at anytime. Remind yourself that you are feeling well because you are taking your medications.
3. I got busy and forgot my medication. This is one of the most common reasons patients are not compliant with their medical regimen.

1. You ran out of medication. This just requires some planning on your part. Late on Friday afternoon and the day you run out of medication are generally too late. Give your doctor’s office a few days notice before you run out.
2. My medications are too expensive. Talk with your doctor. Many times combination products like Advair, may be less expensive if you are prescribed the medications separately. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe generics when available. Additionally, you may benefit from shopping around. I find in my local community that the cost of some medications vary substantially from pharmacy to pharmacy. You can also consider applying for patient assistance programs if you are eligible.
3. You were not sure how to take your medication. Patients often do not understand how to take their medication and often do not ask or tell their doctor they do not understand. One fix for this is to repeat your medication instructions to your doctor to make sure you understand. If your doctor is a good communicator, they will hopefully ask you to do this. All patients should have an asthma action plan that is a general summary of your asthma care that includes medications, frequency, and what to do when you have symptoms.
4. My routine changed. If you miss medications because of a change in routine, consider storing extra medicine in places where you spend a lot of time such as the car or office.
5. Side effects. Talk with your doctor about side effects you are experiencing as many, like with inhaled steroids, are preventable.

Sources

1. Bender BG, Bender SE. Patient-identified barriers to asthma treatment adherence: responses to interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2005;25(1):107.
2. Rand CS, Wise RA. Measuring adherence to asthma medication regimens. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1994;149(2 Pt 2):S69.
3. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed: July 24, 2014. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma