DoseLoop guide
Track missed doses without relying on memory
DoseLoop records missed doses and dose outcomes so users can review medication history later.
Why missed doses happen
Many missed doses do not happen because there was no reminder. They happen because the reminder appeared at a moment when the user could not act immediately — and by the time the moment passed, the notification was gone. 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, and forgetting is one of the most commonly reported reasons.
What counts as a missed dose in DoseLoop
In DoseLoop, a dose is recorded as missed only when its tracking window closes without any response. Until then, the dose stays pending and reminders keep following up. This gives a precise, consistent definition: a missed dose is one that received no answer within the window you chose for that medication — not one where you simply dismissed an alarm.
| Outcome | What it means |
|---|---|
| Taken | You confirmed the dose was taken |
| Skipped | You deliberately chose not to take this dose and recorded that choice |
| Snoozed | You postponed the reminder; the dose stays pending |
| Missed | The tracking window closed with no response |
| Manually corrected | You fixed the record afterwards, and the correction is kept |
How DoseLoop keeps the dose visible
DoseLoop keeps a scheduled dose pending during the tracking window. The user can mark it taken, skip it, snooze it, or let it become missed when the window closes. The window length is adjustable per medication, so a time-sensitive prescription can have a short window with persistent follow-ups while a daily vitamin can have a relaxed one. The full follow-up behavior is described in the closed-loop medication reminder guide.
Review missed doses later
DoseLoop keeps dose outcomes in calendar history so users can review missed doses, completed doses, skipped doses, and manual corrections later. Over weeks, this record makes patterns visible: a specific weekday that keeps slipping, or an evening dose that is missed far more often than the morning one. A concrete record is also easier to discuss with a clinician than a vague sense of "I sometimes forget." Dose history works together with pill tracking and inventory in the same app.
Frequently asked questions
Does DoseLoop mark a dose as missed automatically?
Yes. If the tracking window for a dose closes without any response, DoseLoop records it as missed. You can manually correct the record later if you actually took the dose.
What is the difference between a skipped dose and a missed dose?
Skipped means you actively recorded a decision not to take the dose. Missed means the tracking window ended with no response at all. Keeping them separate makes the history more honest and more useful.
Can I see all my missed doses in one place?
Yes. The calendar history shows the outcome of every scheduled dose, so missed doses can be reviewed day by day and week by week.
Important limitation
If you miss a medication dose, follow your clinician's instructions or the medication label. DoseLoop records what happened; it does not tell you whether to take a late dose, double a dose, or change your schedule, and it does not provide medical advice.