Many people find managing medicines difficult. There are a range of aids and support options available to make medicines easier and safer to use. These can help if you have problems with:
- Swallowing tablets or capsules
- Opening medicine containers or blister packs
- Using creams, eye drops, inhalers or liquid medicines
- Reading medicine labels or identifying medicines
- Poor eyesight or reduced dexterity
- Remembering instructions about how to take medicines
A pharmacist is often the best first point of contact. They can check whether there are alternative forms of your medicine, advise on safe use of medication aids, and suggest practical solutions for specific difficulties.
The main types of support available are:
Help to Swallow Medicines
Advice on alternative medicine forms, swallowing techniques and aids such as tablet cutters and crushers.
Help to Open Medicine Containers
Tools to make blister packs and bottles easier to open, including pill poppers and bottle openers.
Help to Use Different Types of Medicines
Special aids for creams, eye drops, inhalers and liquid medicines that can make them easier to use and more accurate.
Help to Identify Medicines
Support for people with visual impairment, including large-print labels, magnifiers, tactile markers and audio labelling devices.
