I use two 7-day pill containers, the kind with plenty of room for everything, including those big fish oil gel tabs and Citracal. When I get down to the last few days of the second week, I refill both containers completely. Prescription bottles that are very low or empty go upside-down next to the phone, and I call in for a refill when I get the time.

My pharmacy, ShopKo, is very good about holding a “too early” or “expired” refill request and filling it at the earliest possible date, i.e. when insurance allows it, or as soon as they can get the doctor’s okay. I still usually have several prescriptions to pick up every week (sheesh).

The exception to the pill-box routine is bedtime meds. For those, I make myself open each pill bottle and retrieve the nightly dose just at bedtime. They’re kept in the kitchen at the other end of the house from the bedroom, too. I don’t want to risk going on auto-pilot and taking them without thinking.

Another thing I do is carry a complete one-day dose of all pills with me at all times. That’s saved me numerous times when we decide to stay in town for dinner after work. It also gives me a day’s grace period if I accidentally run out of something. It happens often enough that these pills get refreshed routinely.

Great topic–thanks!
Wendy