If you use multiple medications and think you don’t need a pill organizer or pill dispenser, think again.
“Pill organizers are often considered an ‘elderly’ item, but they can be very helpful for patients of all ages,” says Jenna Liphart Rhoads, a Green Bay, Wisconsin-based registered nurse, certified nurse educator and an advisor at the website Nurse Together.
For older adults who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs), an automatic pill dispenser can even send messages to a caregiver about whether or not that person has taken their medication.
[READ Fact vs. Fiction: Debunking OTC Medication Myths]
Pill Organizers vs. Pill Dispensers
Manual pill organizers
Pill organizers are containers you can use to group and manage your medications so that you stay on schedule. For instance, if you must take a certain pill on a Monday morning, it goes in the part of the container labeled for Monday a.m. Depending on the container, it may not specify the time of day; in that case, all of the pills are grouped together for the day.
Pill organizers can be simple and inexpensive, or they can be sophisticated and have technological bells and whistles.
Automatic pill dispensers
Pill dispensers are a little different than organizers, says Dr. Samuel James, assistant vice president of pharmacy operations at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. in Miami. They automatically dispense tablets according to a dosage schedule inputted into the device and may have Bluetooth connectivity, locking options and even medical alert functions for emergencies.
As you may imagine, these are pricier than a basic bill organizer. They could range from a couple hundred dollars into the thousands. Some of the pricier models ask for an upfront payment, or have a monthly subscription payment.
“Options range from electronic pill dispensers that can hold and dispense medications for up to 90 days, with locked compartments and audio and visual reminders, to smartphone apps that provide reminder alerts, including voice notifications, which are helpful for patients with cognitive decline,” says says Urvi Kadakia, an occupational therapist in the rehabilitation department at Staten Island University Hospital in Staten Island, New York.
Some pill dispensers can even alert a loved one with a phone call if the person using the dispenser doesn’t take their pills at a certain time of day, which can be potentially lifesaving, says Kadakia.
[Read: Deprescribing Medications for Seniors]
Who Should Use a Pill Organizer or Pill Dispenser?
You could benefit from using a pill organizer or dispenser if you:
— Use several medications each day. A pill organizer will help you make sure that you don’t skip or double doses by mistake, says Rachel Taylor, a registered nurse in Birmingham, Alabama.
— Have arthritis or other physical issues. These conditions could make it hard to access medicine in its original container, and some pill organizers are designed specifically for those with difficulty opening pill bottles.
— Are forgetful. If you often forget whether or not you took a certain dosage of medication(s), an organizer can help you confirm.
— Have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In these cases, a pill dispenser that’s controlled by a caregiver is likely the best choice.
[READ: Common Caregiving Tasks to Do for Your Older Loved One]
What to Consider When Selecting a Pill Organizer or Dispenser
There are many types of pill organizers and dispensers, so you’ll want to give some thought to the best kind for you or someone in your care. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a pill organizer or dispenser:
— Do you need something that’s easy to open? This is likely needed if you have arthritis, swollen hands or tremors, for instance. Some pill organizers have a push-button design so they are easier to open. Some also have extra-large components, which also could be useful.
— What size are the pills? If the pills you use are larger, then extra-large compartments may be the way to do it, James says.
— Are you forgetful about taking your medication? If so, an automated pill dispenser with an alarm may be a better choice. The same is true if you’re caring for someone who has a disease that affects the memory, Taylor says.
— Do you take pills at more than one time of the day? If you do, then get an organizer that has separate pockets for pills used in the morning, afternoon and evening.
— Is the information on the front of the container easy to read? Pill organizers may have some writing on them, such as the day of the week, the time of the day or sometimes a symbol to indicate morning use or evening use. You want to make sure you can easily read or view that information, Kadakia says. If you or someone you care for is visually impaired, choose a pill organizer that has Braille.
— Are your medications light-sensitive? Some pill boxes offer UV protection to avoid any alteration to your medication caused by light.
If you’re not sure what type of pill organizer or dispenser is best for you, you can seek advice from a trusted doctor, nurse, pharmacist or occupational therapist.
[READ: Vitamins and Minerals: the Essentials for Women.]
Top Pill Organizers and Dispensers
Recommended for Arthritis: EZY DOSE Weekly (7-day) Push Button Pill Organizer and Planner
— Price: Under $10
— Number of compartments: seven to 14
— Pros: Inexpensive, easy to use and has push buttons
— Cons: Compartments may pop open when you want them to stay closed
The EZY DOSE
is a straightforward pill organizer with push buttons that are helpful for those with carpal tunnel syndrome, swollen fingers or arthritis, Taylor says. The organizer is available for once-daily or twice-daily dosing. Each compartment holds up to 30 pills.
Recommended for Multiple Pill Usage: MEDca Weekly Pill Organizer, Four Times-a-Day, 1 Dispenser with Stackable AM/PM Compartments
— Price: Under $15
— Number of compartments: 7, each with four subcompartments
— Pros: Allows you to organize your medication for up to four uses a day, and has removable trays
— Cons: Compartments are small
The MEDca Weekly Pill Organizer allows you to organize your meds for up to four uses a day. This helps to cut out any confusion over whether you took your pills at a specific time of day. The organizer has pull-out, removable trays for each day. One drawback: The subcompartments are smaller, so they may be best for those who need fewer than five pills at a time, Taylor says.
Recommended for Larger Pills: Weekly Pill Organizer 7 Day 2 Times a Day, Sukuos Large Daily Pill Cases for Pills/Vitamin/Fish Oil/Supplements
— Price: Under $10
— Number of compartments: 7
— Pros: Has space for larger pills, and it comes with a protective case
— Cons: Only has subcompartments for twice-daily dosing
If the pills you use are larger — think, for instance, of most fish oil capsules
— then the Sukuos Large Daily Pill Case is a possible option. This brightly colored organizer has subcompartments that can each hold six fish-oil capsules, seven vitamins and 14 capsules.
Recommended for Travel: Mimi Medcessories Pretty Pill Box
— Price: Under $25
— Number of compartments: 8
— Pros: Has compartments for multiple daily dosing along with an additional compartment for as-needed meds; attractive, discreet look
— Cons: Possible to open incorrectly and spill out the pills
If you want to take your medication in style while you’re on the road, then the Mini Medcessories Pretty Pill Box is a discreet addition to your travels. This small, attractive organizer has daily compartments that can store up to five large supplements or 10 smaller medications for each day. There’s also a compartment for as-needed meds.
Recommended Lower-Priced Dispenser for Memory Issues: LiveFine 28-Day Automatic Pill Dispenser
— Price: Under $100
— Number of compartments: 28
— Pros: Dispenses pills when you need them, and has an alarm to signal when to take pills
— Cons: The alarm may get irritating, and you can only use the dispenser for up to 28 days versus a full month
If you or someone you care for has memory issues, the LiveFine 28-Day Automatic Pill Dispenser
can help because you can program it to dispense pills when you need them. You’re alerted to medication times with an alarm that can go off up to nine times a day. The pill dispenser operates on four AA batteries. The clock can operate in a 12- or 24-hour mode. The dispenser also has a locking key to prevent tampering.
5 Things to Keep in Mind With Pill Organizers and Dispensers
As helpful as a pill organizer or pill dispenser may be, it’s only as good as the human operating it. Here are five things to keep in mind when using these devices:
1. Give all your attention to loading your container properly
You’ll need to reload most pill organizers once a week. Make sure to check that you’re putting your pills in the right compartments, so you’re not setting yourself up for a double dose or a skipped dose.
Read your medication bottles so you know the exact dosage and timing of what you’re using. Never refill your container when you’re sleep-deprived or under the influence of alcohol or drugs that may affect your ability to focus.
2. Know in advance about any medication interactions
There are certain medications that aren’t safe to use at the same time period or with certain food. This is something your health provider should discuss with you in advance, to make sure you avoid a medication interaction. If you’re not sure, talk to a health provider or pharmacist.
Keep any medication interactions in mind when filling up your pill organizer or dispenser, so you don’t take those medications at the same time.
3. Make sure the technology works
While basic pill organizers are low- or no-tech, smart pill dispensers rely on technology. Periodically check batteries, charging or other tech-based operations so they’ll work when you need them.
4. Take your pills
All the organization in the world is useless if you don’t actually use your medications when you need them.
If you have a pill organizer but still forget to use your meds, you may do better with a dispenser that has reminder alarms that can sync with a smartphone, for instance. Or, talk to your health provider about alternate options if you find you constantly forget to take your meds.
5. Talk to your health provider if you experience new side effects that may be medication–related
If you become more disciplined about using a pill organizer and taking your medications as needed, you may find that you experience new medication reactions that can be unsettling. Share your concerns with your health provider to make sure these side effects are normal.
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Choosing a Pill Organizer or Pill Dispenser originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 01/09/26: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
