What could be a reason patients run out of medications faster than expected?

Patients running out of medications faster than expected can indeed be attributed to taking more than prescribed. When patients exceed the recommended dosage or frequency of their medication, they will deplete their supply more quickly. This could be due to misunderstandings about dosing instructions or attempts to manage their symptoms more aggressively than recommended by their healthcare provider.

When patients misunderstand their prescribed regimen, they might take doses more frequently or in larger quantities, thinking it will provide better relief or faster results. This behavior can lead to a faster depletion of their medication supply. As a pharmacy technician, it is critical to counsel patients on the correct usage of their medications to prevent such situations from occurring and ensure they have an adequate supply for the duration intended by their prescriber.

Other factors, like financial constraints, side effects, or running out of pills regularly, may influence medication adherence and availability, but they do not directly result in a quicker depletion of medication from the user's perspective compared to the act of taking more than prescribed.