Setting Up Medication Schedules

ZeroMiss helps you never miss a medication dose. Whether you take pills once, twice, or multiple times per day, setting up reliable reminders is simple.

Creating a Medication Topic

Step 1: Create a Topic for Your Medications

1. Go to Manage tab (list icon on the right)
2. Tap “Create New Topic” button at the top
3. Name it descriptively (e.g., “Morning Meds”, “Daily Medications”)
4. Choose the pill icon 💊
5. Select a visible color (red or orange recommended)
6. Tap “Create Topic”

Why use topics for medications?

• Keep all medication reminders organized together
• Easy to find and manage
• Visual color coding for quick recognition
• Separate from other alarms

Single Medication Alarm

For medications taken once daily:

Step 1: Add the Alarm

1. Open your medication topic
2. Tap “Add Alarm” button
3. Enter the medication name (e.g., “Metformin 500mg”)
4. Choose Todo type (stays visible until marked done)

Step 2: Set the Time

1. Tap “Add Date & Time”
2. Set when you need to take it (e.g., 8:00 AM)
3. Configure repeat pattern

Step 3: Configure Daily Repeat

1. Toggle Repeat ON
2. Select Every Day
3. Set when it ends:
   • Never - For ongoing medications
   • On Date - For temporary courses (antibiotics)
   • After - For specific number of doses

Multiple Times Per Day

For medications taken 2-3+ times daily, you have two options:

Option A: Multiple Schedules in One Alarm

Best for: Same medication, different times

1. Create the alarm with medication name
2. Tap “Add Date & Time” for first dose (8:00 AM)
3. Configure repeat pattern for first dose
4. Tap “Add Date & Time” again for second dose (8:00 PM)
5. Configure repeat pattern for second dose
6. Add more times as needed
7. Save the alarm

Benefits:

• One alarm to manage
• All doses grouped together
• Easy to see full schedule
• Each schedule can have independent repeat patterns

Option B: Separate Alarms for Each Dose

Best for: Different medications at different times

1. Create alarm for morning dose: “Medication A - Morning”
2. Set time: 8:00 AM, repeat daily
3. Create second alarm: “Medication A - Evening”
4. Set time: 8:00 PM, repeat daily

Benefits:

• Independent control of each dose
• Can disable one without affecting others
• Clear labels for morning vs evening

Common Medication Schedules

Twice Daily (Every 12 Hours)

Example: Antibiotic Course

• Medication: “Amoxicillin 500mg”
• Type: Alert
• Times: 8:00 AM, 8:00 PM (use “Add Date & Time” twice)
• Repeat: Every Day
• Ends: After 20 doses (10 days)

Three Times Daily (With Meals)

Example: Digestive Medication

• Medication: “Digestive Enzyme”
• Type: Alert
• Times: 7:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 6:30 PM
• Repeat: Every Day
• Ends: Never

Four Times Daily (Every 6 Hours)

Example: Pain Management

• Medication: “Pain Relief - Round the Clock”
• Type: Alert
• Times: 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 12:00 AM
• Repeat: Every Day
• Ends: On specific date

Every Other Day

Example: Weekly Medication

• Medication: “Vitamin D - Weekly”
• Type: Alert
• Time: 9:00 AM
• Repeat: Custom → Every 2 days
• Ends: Never

Specific Days of the Week

Example: Injection Schedule

• Medication: “Weekly Injection”
• Type: Alert
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Repeat: Weekly → Select specific days (Mon, Thu)
• Ends: Never

Best Practices

Clear Naming

Include dosage for clarity:

• ✅ “Metformin 500mg - Morning”
• ✅ “Synthroid 75mcg”
• ❌ “Pills”
• ❌ “Medication”

Use Alert Type

Always choose Alert (not Todo) for medications:

• Requires active dismissal
• Won’t disappear if ignored
• Critical for time-sensitive doses

Set Realistic Times

Choose times you can consistently manage:

• Morning: After waking routine
• Evening: Before bed routine
• With meals: Actual meal times

Plan for Refills

Set a separate reminder:

• Name: “Refill Metformin”
• 5 days before you run out
• Gives time to get prescription

Temporary Medications

Short-Term Antibiotics

Use “Ends After” for precise dose counting:

• 10-day course = 20 doses (twice daily)
• 7-day course = 21 doses (three times daily)
• App counts down automatically

Trial Medications

Use “Ends On Date” for trials:

• 30-day trial period
• Set end date for review
• Decide whether to continue

Managing Multiple Medications

Organize by Time of Day

Create multiple topics:

Morning Medications Topic:

• All pills taken at wake time
• Same color (yellow)
• One place to check

Evening Medications Topic:

• All bedtime pills
• Different color (blue)
• Separate from morning

Organize by Condition

Create topics by health need:

• “Heart Health” - cardiac meds
• “Diabetes” - insulin, metformin
• “Vitamins” - daily supplements

Viewing Your Medication Alarms

On the Home screen, use filters to see medications:

By Topic Filter:

• See all alarms in your medication topic
• Color-coded by topic
• Organized by category

By Type Filter:

• See all ALERTS (includes medications)
• Separate from TO-DO tasks
• Time-sensitive items together

Tips for Success

Start Simple

Begin with your most critical medication, then add others.

Be Consistent

Same times every day helps build routine.

Review Weekly

Check upcoming medication alarms every week to ensure accuracy.

Don’t Skip Doses

If you miss an alarm, check with your doctor about what to do - don’t just double up.

Troubleshooting

Alarm Didn’t Ring?

Check:

1. Alarm is enabled (not grayed out)
2. Phone not in silent mode (use Silence Rules instead)
3. ZeroMiss notifications enabled in Settings
4. Schedule is active

Wrong Time?

Edit the alarm:

1. Tap the alarm in your topic
2. Edit the schedule time
3. Changes apply to future occurrences

Need to Pause?

Temporarily disable without deleting:

1. Toggle the alarm off in your topic
2. Re-enable when needed
3. All settings preserved

Next Steps

Once medications are set up:

• Set up Silence Rules for sleep
• Learn about recurring patterns
• Manage multiple topics

Need Help?

Questions about medication alarms? Contact support for assistance!