In this article, we have reviewed the best locked pill dispensers for addicts. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot of the top ones.
Contents
All of us regularly use pills for various ailments or pain relief. Some people with chronic pain are prescribed opioids. Over the years, the prevalence of such pain-relieving medicines has increased multifold.
While on the one hand, this has helped many patients lead more comfortable lives, it has also made it possible for these drugs to be overused or abused.
While most people have control over the frequency and quantity of drugs they consume, some others do not. This is in part due to the addictive nature of these drugs.
Roughly 17 million people in the US misuse prescription drugs annually[1]. About 0.5 million deaths worldwide are attributed to drug use [2]. Hence, it is important that prescription drugs are available only in prescribed quantities to these individuals.
Our top choice: LiveFine Bluetooth Pill Dispenser
The Live Fine Bluetooth Pill Dispenser, Automatic 28 Day Pill Delivery System with Alarm, Flashing Light, App Alerts, Easy Read LCD, 6 Dosage Templates, Key and LeBox App, White is our locked pill dispensers for addicts because of the following reasons:
- The dispenser can store pills for 28 straight days
- It comes with 6 interchangeable rings to customize the daily frequency of pill dispensing
- The dispenser can be paired with Android or iOS phones via Bluetooth, to provide remote monitoring of doses
- The lid has a mini magnifying glass to read the dosage instructions better
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Locked Pill Dispensers for Addicts
#1 LiveFine Bluetooth Pill Dispenser
LiveFine brings out this pill dispenser that can be operated through your mobile phone via Bluetooth.
Features and Benefits
This pill dispenser is high-tech and can dispense pills up to 6 times a day and up to 28 straight days. There are 6 interchangeable rings that can help set the frequency of pill dispensing, the lowest being once and the highest being 6 times a day.
The device can be paired to an Android or an iOS phone, which can be then used to set schedules, receive updates or monitor missed doses. Whenever a dose is due, the device sends notifications to your phone, in addition to the usual alarm seen in other pill dispensers.
The biggest drawback is that the phone and the dispenser should be within Bluetooth range. Nevertheless, this is a feature not available in most other models.
The see-through lid of the device also helps you keep track of the pills. The built-in magnifier can be used to look closer at the dosage information.
As with other competitors, the LED shows time in AM/PM format, for you to set your dosage schedule. The alarm will flash every 7 seconds for 30 mins whenever it is time to take your pills.
Why should you buy it?
If you are looking for a locked pill dispenser that you could pair to your phone and monitor, this should be your choice.
#2 Med-E-Lert Locking Dispenser with Solid White Lid
This pill dispenser from Med-E-Lert can help in timely dispensing on prescription medication & in preventing overdose
Features and Benefits
Med-E-Lert’s automatic pill dispenser is very secure, thanks to the provision of a locking mechanism to prevent tampering. It comes with a solid white lid instead of the usual clear one which competitors have. This makes it convenient should the user need privacy or not get distracted by seeing too many pills at the same time.
The dispenser has a red LED light, which flashes along with the 3-sound alarm to remind users to take their medications. The device works on 4 AA batteries and has a low battery indicator to warn you well in advance. The settings are retained even if you change batteries.
The device is customizable to the frequency with which the user needs to take medicines. From once a day to six times, the dispenser can be customized to dispense pills according to the user’s needs.
Once filled, the device continues to dispense pills for 28 days., after which it needs replenishment. It is important to remember that the dispenser comes with only one key. Should you lose it, it becomes a problem refilling your medicines.
Why should you buy it?
This device has the most important requirements expected to an automatic pill dispenser for addicts.
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#3 LiveFine Automatic Pill Dispenser
This pill dispenser from LiveFine helps you set and monitor the prescription medicine dosage for addicts easily.
Features and Benefits
Livefine brings out this handy pill dispenser for addicts, which dispenses the right number of pills at the right times for up to 28 days at a stretch. It has 6 interchangeable rings, which can be used depending on the frequency with which the user needs to take pills every day.
The user interface has an LCD display that shows the time and has 3 buttons to configure. When it is time for a prescription, the display lights up and the alarm goes off for 30 mins until it is turned off. All the user must do is turn the dispenser over, and the pills drop out of the corresponding compartment.
There are 28 compartments, one for each day of pills. When it is time for the next prescription, the next slot opens for you to consume the pills. However, there is one slot in between that is not a compartment. When this is reached, the user must open the lid and move the slots forward for the device to continue dispensing pills.
Some users have reported that there is a small gap between the lid and the compartments, where the pills get stuck at times. Hence, users must take care to ensure that the lid is locked tightly to avoid this.
The dispenser also comes with a built-in mini magnifier to read the dosage correctly. The device comes with one key to open and close the lid. Please remember to keep the key safe, for you will not be able to open the dispenser otherwise.
Why should you buy it?
The pill dispenser is purpose-built and can be used for up to 6 doses a day and for as many as 28 days at a stretch.
#4 Med-E-Lert Premium Dispenser with Two Lids
Med-E-Lert’s pill dispenser is replete with the basic features expected of any locking automatic pill dispenser.
Features and Benefits
This pill dispenser from Med-E-Lets comes with 28 compartments, each of which can hold as many as 18 aspirin-sized pills. It comes equipped with a custom barrel key that can keep the lid locked and free from tampering by the user.
The device features programmable alarms, which will buzz for about 30 minutes each time the user is due for a dose of pills. These alarms can be set up to 6 times a day. The clock that is used to set alarms can display in 12-hour or 24-hour formats.
The frequency of alarms can be set by using any of the 6 dosage rings that come with the device. Every time the alarm goes off, the motor mechanism will reveal a new compartment of pills for the user to empty.
It is an improvement over the Med-E-Lert dispenser since it comes with two lids (one solid and the other clear), but comes at a higher price. While the solid one obscures the contents of the compartments, ensuring privacy for the user, the clear one offers visibility to all compartments.
Why should you buy it?
This dispenser has one additional feature when compared to the previous version from the same manufacturer. It comes with 2 lids-one clear & the other solid, to use based on the convenience of the user.
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#5 Automatic Pill Dispenser with Tipper Base
This premium pill dispenser comes with a tipper base for easy transfer and to eliminate any loss of pills while consuming them.
Features and Benefits
This pill dispenser is equipped with advanced features that help addicts take their prescription medicines without interruption or risk of overdose. It has all the basic features expected of automatic pill dispensers.
It has 28 compartments, one for each day. Each compartment can hold 15 aspirin-sized pills. You can set the device to remind the users from 1 to 6 times a day. The alarm can be set to beep from 5 to 60 minutes at a time.
The device has three big advantages. The first is the provision of an early dose, which users can take in case they are leaving home for an extended duration.
The second is the presence of a tipper base and a stainless-steel medicine cup. The users do not need to turn the dispenser over manually or grab all the pills in the palms of their hands, as his can be tricky at times and a pill or two may go missing. All you must do is tip the dispenser by using the handle provided, and the pills fall into the cup.
The third advantage is the provision of two keys. Should you lose one, you can still use the spare key to open and close the dispenser.
One complaint users had about the device is that the pill compartments seemed rather small, and capsules often got stuck to the slot and had to be pulled out with tweezers.
Why should you buy it?
If you are looking for a pill dispenser where the user does not have to fiddle with transferring pills from the device to the hand, look no further. However, it comes at a hefty price.
What should you look for in a locked pill dispenser for addicts?
Duration of use before refill
Pill dispensers for addicts need to hold pills for quite a few days before being refilled. The standard in the market is 28 days. This means that you can fill the dispenser with pills for almost a month at one go. This is handy because frequently opening & closing the dispenser can be a pain.
Frequency of dispensing
Prescriptions vary from person to person. While some people only need pills once or twice a day, others may need them more frequently. Hence, pill dispensers must come with the flexibility of changing the dispensing frequency from time to time. This is achieved in most dispensers through interchangeable rings that can be used to dispense from once to 6 times a day.
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Tamper proof-ability
The problem with addicts is that they often consume pills in larger quantities or more frequently than they are prescribed. Hence, it is important to ensure that the dispenser locks properly and is not easy to pry open without the key.
Alarm
Probably the most important feature of pill dispensers is the alarm they give off when the time for a dose. Most pill dispensers available in the market give off both a sound and a light to gain the attention of the user.
Sounds may have multiple tones. It is important for the alarm to keep going off for a considerable duration in case it takes time for the user to notice and remember to take medicines. Most products in the market give off a sound & light alarm for up to 30 mins every dose.
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Frequently asked questions: Locked Pill Dispenser for Addicts?
What kind of medicines do people get addicted to?
People can get addicted to any medication that rids them of discomfort. However, the most common types of medicines that people get addicted to are pain medicines. Chronic pain patients need such medicines to lead a normal life, and may therefore become dependent on them.
Why is it important to regulate pill dispensing for addicts?
While consuming certain medications, patients tend to overuse or abuse their dosages. They may consume more than the required quantity per dose or consume more frequent doses. These put the takers at risk and must therefore be avoided.
How much do locked pill dispensers for addicts cost?
Locked pill dispensers for addicts come at a variety of prices. However, the most basic ones cost between 60 and 80 dollars. However, if advanced features like a tipping mechanism or Bluetooth connectivity are required, then they may cost a few hundred dollars.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have selected the best locked pill dispensers for adults, based on the features mentioned in the buyers’ guide and the ratings and comments mentioned by actual users on Amazon.
By the way, we also wrote a review on the best pill dispenser for the elderly to help them remember medication and organized their pills.
In our opinion, the Live Fine Bluetooth Pill Dispenser, Automatic 28 Day Pill Delivery System with Alarm, Flashing Light, App Alerts, Easy Read LCD, 6 Dosage Templates, Key and LeBox App, White is the best choice among the various options that we have considered because it has all the basic features expected of such dispensers, and can be paired to a mobile phone via Bluetooth.
If you are looking for a value for money, you can also consider the Premium Automatic Pill Dispenser for Elderly with Alarm | Secure Medication Dispenser 28 Sealed Compartments | Tamper-Resistant Automatic Pill Dispenser | FSA/HSA Eligible, Clear & Solid White Lids, because it can help in timely dispensing of prescription medicines and comes with two lids-one clear and the other solid.
[1] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/what-scope-prescription-drug-misuse
[2] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/opioid-overdose