How to Create an Efficient Medication List Template in Google Sheets

Managing medications can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling multiple prescriptions. A simple, organized medication list can make all the difference, helping you or your loved ones stay on track with the right meds at the right time. Google Sheets is a great way to create a custom list that’s easy to access from anywhere.

Why Do You Need a Medication List?

Keeping a medication list is essential for a few good reasons. It’s a handy record of all the medications you’re taking, including dosages, schedules, and why you’re taking each one. This list can be a lifesaver at doctor’s appointments, during hospital visits, or in an emergency, making sure your healthcare team has all the info they need.

And, it’s a great way to manage your health by preventing mix-ups, making sure you get your refills on time, and catching any side effects or interactions early.

Step 1: Open Google Sheets

Start by going to Google Sheets. Click the “+ Blank” button to open a new spreadsheet. Give your spreadsheet a name that’s easy to recognize. Click “Untitled spreadsheet” at the top left corner and type in “Medication List” or any name you prefer.

Step 2: Set Up Your Columns

Your medication list needs specific columns to capture all the necessary details. Click on the first cell in the top row and type the following column headers, pressing the “Tab” key to move to the next cell:

• Medication Name
• Dosage
• Frequency
• Time
• Purpose
• Prescribing Doctor
• Start Date
• End Date
• Notes

Step 3: Enter Your Medication Information

With your columns set, start entering the details for each medication. Click into the cell under “Medication Name” and type the name of your first medication. Continue filling out the cells to the right with the appropriate information. Repeat this process for each medication.

Step 4: Add a Dropdown Menu

You can add a dropdown menu for categories that might use repetitive information, such as Frequency. Select the range where you want to add a dropdown menu, then click Insert > Dropdown. Add options such as Once a Day, Twice a Day, and Thrice a Day.

Step 5: Sort and Filter

As your list grows, finding specific medications can become challenging. Google Sheets’ sorting and filtering features can help. To add a filter, click anywhere in your header row, click on the “Data” menu, and select “Create a filter.” Now, you can click on the filter icon in any header cell to sort or filter your list.

Step 6: Share Your Medication List

Google Sheets makes sharing your medication list with family members or healthcare providers easy. Click the green “Share” button in the top right corner, enter the email addresses of the people you want to share it with, and choose their permissions (e.g., can view, can edit).

Get a Free Medication List Template

Get a copy of the free Medication List Template. I’ve populated some cells as examples, but you can edit them as needed.

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helps you create an efficient and personalized medication list in Google Sheets. Keeping track of medications doesn’t have to be complicated, and with this template, you can stay organized and ensure your health and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Google Sheets to calculate the days until I refill a medication?

Absolutely. You can calculate the days left until the next refill using the formula =[Cell with Refill Date]-TODAY(). This will return the number of days left until the medication needs to be refilled, helping you plan.

How can I automatically check if it’s time to refill a prescription?

Use the TODAY() function to help manage refill times. For example, in a new column, input the formula =IF(TODAY()>DATEVALUE([Cell with Next Refill Date]), “Refill,” “OK”). This formula will display “Refill” if the current date has passed the refill date, prompting an action.

How do I organize medications by the time of day in Google Sheets?

You can use the SORT() function to organize your list automatically. For instance, if “Time of Day” is in Column D, use =SORT(A2:F100, 4, TRUE) in a new sheet or area on your worksheet to sort all your entries based on Column D in ascending order.