The short answer
Some people skip doses or do not fill prescriptions to save money, but this can harm your health and your pain control. The National Cancer Institute says not to skip doses. Instead, talk to your doctor about lower-cost options, and never change doses on your own.
Some people skip or stretch medicine to save money — this is common but risky.
The National Cancer Institute says not to skip doses or save them for later.
Skipping doses can interfere with your pain control and your health.
Instead, tell your doctor about cost worries — there may be cheaper options.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
When money is tight, it can be tempting to skip a dose, take less than prescribed, or leave a prescription unfilled. Many people do exactly this. But it can harm your health, and there are safer ways to lower medicine costs. The most important step is to tell your care team, so they can help.
Why people skip medicine
The National Cancer Institute reports that some people skip doses or take less medicine than prescribed to make it last longer and save money. Others do not fill a prescription at all because of the cost. In fact, the higher the copay, the less likely people are to take their medicine as directed. This is a very human response to real financial pressure.
Why skipping is risky
Skipping doses can lower your quality of life and harm your health. For pain medicine, the NCI is direct: do not skip doses or save them for later, because doing so will interfere with your pain control. Taking medicine as prescribed is part of caring for yourself.
If cost is the problem, the answer is to ask for help — not to skip doses.
Safer ways to lower costs
Instead of stretching your medicine, talk to your doctor about cost. They may be able to choose a drug that works for your budget. You can ask:
- whether there is a generic version, which usually costs less
- whether the form of the medicine matters, since pills may cost less than other forms
- about discount programs or assistance that helps pay for prescriptions
Your nurse or a social worker can also point you to programs that help with medicine costs.
Never change doses on your own
Sometimes a doctor can adjust a prescription so a dose can be split safely to save money. But the NCI warns never to split doses on your own, as it could be harmful. Any change to how you take your medicine should come from your doctor.
Small changes to your medicine can be risky — let your doctor guide them.
What skipping can lead to
Cutting back on medicine to save money can carry real costs to your health. The National Cancer Institute reports that people with financial strain who skip medicine may have a lower quality of life, more symptoms, and more pain. In one study, some patients felt that financial strain was even harder than physical, emotional, social, or family distress. This is exactly why it is worth solving the money problem directly, rather than by taking less medicine.
Try a medicine before buying it all
If you are worried a costly medicine may not suit you, you can ask your doctor to write only part of a prescription first, so you can be sure it works before buying the rest. This helps if you pay by the amount you buy. Note that you cannot get samples of opioids, or order them in bulk or by mail.
A note before we begin
This information is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. For your own care, talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or care team before changing how you take any medicine.
Reviewed sources
This article is based on public information from the National Cancer Institute:
Words to know
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Common questions
▸Is it safe to skip doses to save money?
No. The National Cancer Institute advises not to skip doses or save them for later, because doing so can interfere with your pain control and your health. If cost is a problem, the safer step is to tell your doctor, who may be able to find a lower-cost option that still works for you.
▸Why do people skip medicine?
Studies show some people skip doses, take less than prescribed, or do not fill a prescription because of the cost. The higher the copay, the less likely people are to take medicine as directed. This is understandable, but it can lower quality of life and harm health.
▸What should I do if I cannot afford my medicine?
Talk to your doctor, nurse, or social worker. Your doctor may be able to choose a medicine that fits your budget, and there are discount and assistance programs that help pay for prescriptions. The key is to ask for help instead of skipping doses.
▸Can I split my doses to make medicine last longer?
Not on your own. The National Cancer Institute warns never to split doses yourself, as it could be harmful. Sometimes a doctor can adjust a prescription so it can be split safely — but only your doctor should make that change.
Questions to ask your doctor
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