Keep Track of Your Medications on iPhone

If you have found that the number of medications you need to take has surpassed your ability to keep track from sheer memory, it might be time for a better way. My Dad used to have a growing list of medicines and dosages on a typed list he printed out and kept in his wallet, however every time there was a change, he had to either correct and re-print or scribble over the copy already on hand. New technology offers a better way.

How to Add a Medication to your iPhone

Adding manually Below we’ll cover instructions for adding via your iPhone’s camera, which applies only if you are in the U.S. and use an iPhone XR or later. Otherwise, follow the simple guidance here:

1. On your iPhone, open the Health app.
2. Tap Browse, then tap Medications.
3. Tap Add Medication.
4. Enter the name of the medication in the Search field.
   • If you’re in the United States, and the medication is listed, tap the medication.
   • If you’re outside the United States, or the medicine is not listed, tap Add, then tap Next.
5. Choose the Medication Type. If the medication is unlisted, enter the Strength of the medication or select No Strength Information.
6. Tap Next.
7. Tap Frequency to select an interval, then tap Done.
8. Tap Add a time to further specify when you take the medication, then tap Next.
9. Choose the shape of your medication and tap Next, or you can tap Skip. You may need to approximate if you can’t find the exact shape. For example, there seemed to be no option of a round ball-shaped pill.
10. Select the colour of the Medication (again, you may need to approximate) and Background to customise it.
11. Review your Medication details and enter any Optional Details, then tap Next.
12. Select any life factors that may pose an interaction risk with your medication, then tap Done.*

After adding your medications, if you’d like to create a copy to save or share, you can scroll to the More section of the Medications screen and tap Export PDF.

Adding a Medication via your iPhone’s Camera

This feature is available in the United States only and when using an iPhone model XR or later.

You can add a medication quickly by directing the camera on your iPhone XR or later at the medication label. If your medication isn’t listed in the database you can still add a medication by typing in the name.

1. On your iPhone XR or later, open the Health app.
2. Tap Browse, then tap Medications.
3. Tap Add Medication.
4. Tap the camera icon, then tap Get Started. If prompted, allow the Health app to access your camera.
5. Position the medication label in the frame.
6. Tap Next.
7. Tap Frequency to select an interval, then tap Done.
8. Tap Add a time to further specify when you take the medication, then tap Next.
9. Choose the shape of your medication and tap Next, or you can tap Skip.
10. Select the colour of the Medication and Background if you wish to customise it.
11. Review your Medication details and enter any Optional Details, then tap Next.

How to Remove or Archive a Medication on iPhone

Delete a medication

To remove all information and history of the medication, choose Delete Medication.

1. On your iPhone, open the Health app.
2. Tap Browse, then tap Medications.
3. Scroll to Your Medications, then tap the medication you want to delete.
4. Scroll to Options, then tap Delete Medication.
5. Tap Delete Medication.

Archive a medication

To keep the medication details and log history for your records, choose the Archive feature.

1. Again, start by opening the Health app.
2. Tap Browse, then tap Medications.
3. Scroll to Your Medications.
4. Swipe left on a medication, then tap Archive.

The medication will appear in your Archived Medications list.