The effect of a medication alarm device on patient compliance with topical pilocarpine.

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to investigate the use of an electronic medication alarm device (Prescript TimeCap) to enhance compliance in glaucoma patients taking pilocarpine.

METHODS

Thirteen subjects were selected who had been diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma and were receiving 1 drop of pilocarpine solution 4 times a day in both eyes. For each subject, the study was divided into 2 30-day phases, one with the medication alarm device and the other without. Thus, each subject served as his or her own control. Compliance was measured based on the amount of pilocarpine used and by patient questionnaire. In addition, the subjects completed a post-study questionnaire regarding the ease of use of the TimeCap and whether it helped them remember to take their medication.

RESULTS

When subjects used the TimeCap, they administered an average of 2.867 g (P < 0.0001) more pilocarpine over the 30 days than during the period without it. Subjects also estimated a significant difference in compliance level, 95.8 percent with the alarm device versus 83.1 percent without it (p < 0.01). All subjects reported no difficulty using the TimeCap, and all reported that it helped them remember to take their medication.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are highly suggestive that the TimeCap is an effective compliance aid for glaucoma patients on pilocarpine.