Medication Adherence Apps
Full update July 2019
Poor medication adherence contributes to almost two-thirds of med-related hospitalizations. Adherence rates to chronic meds are about 50%.1,2 Improving adherence is a focus of quality measures, such as those used for Star Ratings. However, it has been difficult for researchers to identify interventions that improve adherence, although using multiple strategies seems to be beneficial. As such, practitioners are looking for tools to help patients improve their medication adherence, including those that utilize technology, such as smartphone adherence apps. There are several smartphone apps with varying features. For example, some are cloud-based, which offers the advantage of more flexible access to data and data back-up.2,3 Recently the first medication-integrated adherence monitor was approved within an albuterol inhaler (ProAir Digihaler [U.S.]).4 This “smart inhaler” has built-in sensors to record inhaler use. The chart below lists examples of commonly used medication adherence apps, along with selected features and cost. Keep in mind that pharmacies may offer their own apps with adherence features as well. A searchable database of adherence apps (by desired features) is available at MedAppFinder.com. Additional strategies to improve your patient’s medication adherence are available in our toolbox, Medication Adherence Strategies.
|
App |
Operating System |
Selected Features2,3 |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Care4Today |
iOS |
Access to drug database for inputting drug regimens Can alert caregiver for due and/or missed doses Can handle complex regimens Cloud-based/has companion website Reminders do not require connectivity Schedules can show additional information such as indications for meds Sends push notification alerts when doses or refills are due Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
CareZone |
iOS |
Can alert caregiver for due and/or missed doses Can handle complex regimens Can store additional data such as lab values Cloud-based Reminders do not require connectivity Sends push notification alerts when doses or refills are due Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
Dosecast |
iOS |
Reminders do not require connectivity Schedules can show additional information such as indications for meds Sends additional reminders for missed doses Sends push notification alerts when doses or refills are due |
Free CloudSync and other features such as a drug database (U.S. only) are available for $2.99/month or $27.99/year |
|
eMedsMate |
Android |
Access to drug database for inputting drug regimens Can handle complex regimens Can store additional data such as lab values Cloud-based Reminders do not require connectivity Sends push notification alerts when doses are due Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
Genie MD |
iOS |
Access to drug database for inputting regimens Can handle complex regimens Can store additional data such as lab values Cloud-based Reminders do not require connectivity Sends push notification alerts when doses or refills are due |
Free |
|
Mango Health-U.S. |
iOS |
Access to drug database for inputting drug regimens Additional reminders for missed doses Can handle complex regimens Can store additional data such as lab values Cloud-based Reminders do not require connectivity Sends push notification alerts when doses or refills are due Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
Medisafe |
iOS |
Access to drug database for inputting drug regimens Additional reminders for missed doses Can alert caregiver for due and/or missed doses Can handle complex regimens Can store additional data such as lab values Cloud-based/has companion website Reminders do not require connectivity Schedules can show additional information such as indications for meds Sends push notification alerts when doses or refills are due Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
MyMedRec |
iOS |
Can alert caregiver for due and/or missed doses Can handle complex regimens Can store additional data such as lab values Reminders do not require connectivity Schedules can show additional information such as indications for meds Sends push notification alerts when doses or refills are due Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
MyMeds |
iOS |
Access to drug database for inputting drug regimens Additional reminders for missed doses Can alert caregiver for due and/or missed doses Can handle complex regimens Can send push notification alerts, text messages, or emails when doses or refills are due Cloud-based/has companion website Provider can input regimens Schedules can show additional information such as indications for meds Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
MyMedSchedule-U.S. |
iOS |
Access to drug database for inputting drug regimens Can alert caregiver for due and/or missed doses Can handle complex regimens Can send text messages or emails when doses or refills are due Can store additional data such as lab values Cloud-based/has companion website Provider can input regimens Schedules can show additional information such as indications for meds Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
OnTimeRx |
iOS |
Additional reminders for missed doses Can alert caregiver for due and/or missed doses Can handle complex regimens Can store additional data such as lab values Can text, email, or phone (cell or landline) when doses or refills are due Has companion website Provider can input regimens Schedules can show additional information such as indications for meds Tracks adherence |
Free trial subscription Prices depend on subscription services. Subscriptions for devices are $4.99. Capabilities vary slightly between operating systems/devices |
|
Zibdy Health |
iOS |
Access to searchable drug database or barcode scanning of prescription bottles or over-the-counter (OTC) products to input drug regimens Can alert caregiver for due and/or missed doses Can handle complex regimens Can store additional data such as lab values Can text, email, or phone (cell or landline) when doses are due Cloud-based Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
Respiratory Disease- and Inhaler-specific adherence apps |
|||
|
AsthmaMD |
iOS |
Access to drug database for inputting drug regimens Can send push notification alerts when doses are due Cloud-based Contains customizable asthma-action plan that activates when peak flow readings are in the yellow zone Information can be shared with prescribers or caregivers via email Track symptoms, triggers, medication use, and peak flow readings Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
Hailie-U.S. |
iOS |
Can alert patient and/or caregiver for due and/or missed doses Cloud-based Languages available: English and Spanish Sends reminders to a phone or tablet for due or missed doses Sensors are attached directly to inhalers and communicate with app via Bluetooth technology Tracks adherence Works as standalone app or with inhaler-specific sensors for Flovent HFA, ProAir HFA, Symbicort HFA, and Ventolin HFA |
App: $5.95/month or $59.50/year Sensors: ~$99.50 to $160 |
|
Medocity COPD Care |
iOS |
Access to educational articles, videos, and tutorials Can send push notification alerts when doses are due Cloud-based Track symptoms and share with prescribers or care givers via email Tracks adherence |
Free |
|
ProAir Digihaler* *Approved, with anticipated availability in 2020. |
iOS* *Approved, with anticipated availability in 2020. |
Albuterol dry powder inhaler (DPI) with built-in sensors to detect, record, and store inhaler use and inspiratory flow (L/minute). Scan the QR code on the inhaler with the smartphone app to link the inhaler to the app via Bluetooth technology. Inhaler can be used even when not connected via Bluetooth to mobile app. Can share daily, weekly, and monthly reports with caregivers and prescribers. |
Cost for app and inhaler not available at time of publication. |
|
Propeller-U.S. |
iOS |
Allows documentation of specific information about symptoms and why rescue doses were needed to identify trends Can alert caregiver for due and/or missed doses Cloud-based Has “find-my-inhaler” technology to help locate misplaced inhalers Languages available: English and Spanish Sends daily alerts about air quality in the area Sends reminders to a phone or tablet for due or missed doses Sensors are attached directly to inhalers and communicate with app via Bluetooth technology
Tracks adherence Works as a standalone app or with sensors that attach to most types of inhalers including most metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), Diskus, Respimat, and Ellipta.
|
App: free Sensors: ~$70 |
Project Leader in preparation of this clinical resource (350707): Beth Bryant, Pharm.D., BCPS, Assistant Editor
References
- Morrissey EC, Corbett TK, Walsh JC, Molloy GJ. Behavior change techniques in apps for medication adherence: a content analysis. Am J Prev Med 2016;50:e143-6.
- Dayer L, Heldenbrand S, Anderson P, et al. Smartphone medication adherence apps: potential benefits to patients and providers. J Am Pharm Assoc 2013;53:172-81.
- Choi A, Lovett AW, Kang J, et al. Mobile applications to improve medication adherence: existing apps, quality of life and future directions. Adv Pharm Pharmacol 2015;3:64-74.
- Hew M, Reddel HK. Integrated adherence monitoring for inhaler medications. JAMA 2019 Mar 1. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.1289.
Cite this document as follows: Clinical Resource, Medication Adherence Apps. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter. July 2019.