Medication containers - how do others manage them?

Careful_with_that_Axe

I understand your frustration. a few of my tablets were dispensed in child proof containers and I asked at the surgery if they could be put into some other container so I at least stood a chance of being able to get access to them.
Was told that the are not allowed to change the packaging but I asked everso nicely and they obliged.

I think this is something that pharmaceutical companies really need to address. It's all very well dispensing in child proof containers as a panacea to the H&S police, but what about all of us adults who can't open the damned things.
I do hope you get something sorted out. Most pharmacies do seem to go out of their way to help.

somebody_else

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

Was told that the are not allowed to change the packaging but I asked everso nicely and they obliged.

I think this is something that pharmaceutical companies really need to address. It's all very well dispensing in child proof containers as a panacea to the H&S police, but what about all of us adults who can't open the damned things.
I do hope you get something sorted out. Most pharmacies do seem to go out of their way to help.

But they don't actually (a lot of the time - it might be different with the white bottles that hold OTC meds) have to change the container - they only have to change the lid.

One time, when they'd run out of the ordinary lids, the pharmacist undid the bottle for me and just put it back on so that it would stay on, without the 'ratchet' thingy locking it.

somebody_else

LameWolf wrote: »

... so if Erica (the pharmacist) can put it in little bottles, they'll be lighter to pick up as well, which will be a bonus.

So, if you already know her first name, you already know that she's approachable.

mcspanna

this thread that has dropped down the pages now has some useful links that people may find useful if they are having difficulties with tablet packaging etc.

HTH

mcspanna

Horace

With regard to bottles that have childproof caps (really they should be termed adult proof) can you get your husband to try and break off the red bit (usually its red) inside the cap so that it just becomes a screw on/screw off lid? My wheelchair bound chum does this all the time.

I must admit that I hate eye drops - some of them have a long tube that needs to be pierced so I keep bodging it with a pin. The ones I particularly hate are the Pred Forte ones because you have this horrid bit of plastic to get through first before you can get the top off. Although they are not the worst - I was once prescribed some steroids in teeny tubes called Minims and these were a swine because you could twiddle for ages without the lid coming off so I resorted to using a pair of pliers to turn and pull the lid off.

allydowd

You can actually give the pharmacist your own containers to fill, as long as they are clean and big enough to hold a label....this is acceptable where I live.

allydowd

The RNIB sell Medi-Cap medicine jar openers for £2.35 + postage:

RNIB link

And this site sells devices for opening blister packs from £2 + postage:

DLF link

Might work for someone...

Errata

Hope this helps. If your tablets come in a childproof bottle and you don't need it, don't screw the cap on until it clicks - it's the 'click' that makes it childproof and difficult to remove.

LilacLillie

Any links for buying pill boxes?
My Husband has a palm sized 7 day round pill box that has seen better days.
I bought it years ago in Holland & Barrett, they no longer sell them.
Its just the right size to take his daily tabs in to work.
I've never seen one like it since I got it, so am on the lookout please.
LL

foxxymynx

somebody_else wrote: »

Again, I suggest speaking to your pharmacist to see if they can dispense in smaller bottles so that you can manage them on your own. I'm fairly sure that if you explain your problems they'll work with you to find a way round them. I doubt it matters if they hand out 10 x 50 ml bottles or 1 500 ml bottle - as long as it's the correct amount in total.

you can get 100ml bottles (much easier to carry around than the 500ml ones!) and you can get normal caps if you specifically request them.