DoseLoop guide
A medication reminder app that keeps each dose open
DoseLoop is a medication reminder app for iOS and Android that keeps a scheduled dose visible until the user records what happened.
What makes DoseLoop different from a standard reminder app
Most medication reminder apps send one notification at the scheduled time and consider the job done. DoseLoop treats the notification as the start of the process, not the end: every scheduled dose stays open as a pending task until the user records a clear result — taken, skipped, snoozed, missed, or manually corrected.
| Standard alarm or reminder | DoseLoop closed-loop reminder |
|---|---|
| Fires once at the scheduled time | Keeps following up during an adjustable tracking window |
| Disappears when dismissed or swiped away | The dose stays visible as pending until it has a result |
| No record of what actually happened | Every dose ends with a recorded outcome you can review later |
| Same behavior for every medication | Tracking window and follow-up intensity can differ per medication |
Why normal reminders are not always enough
A normal alarm can appear at the wrong moment — during a meeting, a commute, or a conversation — and disappear before the medication is actually taken. The World Health Organization's report Adherence to Long-Term Therapies (2003) estimated that only about 50% of patients with chronic conditions take their medications as prescribed. DoseLoop is designed for the gap between seeing a reminder and completing the dose.
How DoseLoop handles each scheduled dose
- The dose starts as pending. At the scheduled time, DoseLoop creates a dose task and sends the first notification.
- DoseLoop follows up during the tracking window. If there is no response, follow-up reminders continue for as long as the tracking window you set for that medication.
- The user records the outcome. Each dose ends as taken, skipped, snoozed, missed, or manually corrected — never silently forgotten.
- The history remains available. Outcomes are stored in a calendar view so you can review any day or week later.
Schedules DoseLoop supports
DoseLoop supports the schedule patterns most medications actually use, without forcing everything into a single daily alarm:
- Daily — one or more times per day at fixed times.
- Weekly — specific days of the week.
- Cycling — on/off cycles such as 21 days on, 7 days off.
- Every N days — intervals like every 2 or 3 days.
When this can help
DoseLoop can support daily medication routines, long-term medications, ADHD medication routines, and more complex schedules that need more than a one-time notification. It also includes pill tracking with dose history and inventory and a missed dose record you can review later.
Free on iOS and Android
DoseLoop is free to download on the App Store and Google Play, with an Android APK also available from the official website. The app is available in English, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese.
Frequently asked questions
Does DoseLoop keep reminding me until I take my medication?
DoseLoop keeps a scheduled dose pending and sends follow-up reminders during the tracking window you set for that medication. When the window closes without a response, the dose is recorded as missed instead of disappearing.
Can I use DoseLoop for more than one medication?
Yes. Each medication has its own schedule, color, tracking window, and reminder settings, and every dose is tracked separately.
Is DoseLoop free?
Yes. DoseLoop is free to download on iOS and Android.
Important limitation
DoseLoop does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment guidance. Always follow instructions from your clinician or medication label.