Filling a Pillbox

As described above, filling a pillbox has a lot of steps, but will quickly become a routine for you and your teen as they take on more responsibility.  Here are more details to help you guide them to achieve this skill. 

Getting ready!

• Sit with your child in a quiet space with no distractions.
• Remind them that their medicines are stored in a cool, dry place and away from other children and pets. You will usually only need to access them once a week when your pillbox is being filled.  
• Have an updated med list to review. This can be a paper list or on your teen’s phone.
• Go over each medicine individually.
  • Why are you taking this med? (example: This medicine protects your kidney from rejection)
  • When do you take it? (example: morning, bedtime, or both)
  • How many pills do you take for each dose? (example: two white capsules)

One step at a time!

• Show your teen how to fill their pillbox.
  • Your teen will need their current med list, a pillbox, and all medications.
  • Point out the information on the label of the medication bottle.
  • Match the medication name on their med list to the label on the pill bottle.
  • Line the pill bottles in the same order as the med list.
  • Open the pill box slots for the times the first medication will be taken (for example: every morning and every evening).
  • Confirm the correct dose (the number of pills). Check the pill bottle label with the med list.
  • Place the pills into the correct slots in the pillbox.
    • Be sure that Monday, Wednesday, Friday medications are only filled for those days!
  • Close the time slot lids (or these can remain open if the next med is given at the same time).
  • Close the pill bottle lid tightly and place that bottle away from the other bottles since this medication is in the pill box.
  • Start this process again with the next medication on the med list.
  • Continue until all medications are in the pillbox for the week. Be sure all the pillbox lids are tightly shut. Store the pill box in a safe area, away from young children and pets.
     
• Guide your teen in filling the pillbox independently. Your teen may feel more comfortable starting with one medication, such as tacrolimus, and filling the pillbox slots for only that medication for a week. They can gradually progress by adding one or two medications until they feel they can complete their list.
• Remind your teen about asking for a refill when the medication bottle is almost empty. It’s usually best to reorder when there is about a one-week supply left in the bottle.
• Check their progress
  • Fill the pillbox with your teen until you BOTH feel confident they are completing this task correctly.
  • When your teen is ready to do this independently, remind them that you will be checking the pillbox in case they need any help, particularly if they are less than 18 years of age or have an intellectual disability.
  • If you need help or advice on working with your teen on this skill, ask someone on your transplant team, like a pharmacist or transplant coordinator. They can help you work through any problems and adjust the plan if needed.

Tips to Help Them Succeed

• Consider using a color-coded pillbox for easier sorting. There are several styles, colors, and shapes available on the internet with daily to multiple time slots for each day.
• Use a medicine list or chart to check off each medicine as it goes into the pillbox.
• Encourage your teen to set phone alarms or reminders if they are starting to manage doses on their own.

As your teen practices filling their pillbox, let them know that you’ll be there to support them. Over time, as they become more confident and capable, you’ll gradually step back and give fewer reminders. This isn’t about being on your own overnight—it’s about building skills at a comfortable pace. Learning to manage medications is a positive step toward independence and taking ownership of their transplant healthcare!