Three times a day vs intervals
"Three times a day after meals" follows breakfast, lunch and dinner, so gaps of 4 to 6 hours are normal. "Every 8 hours" means keep the gap between doses even, so the first dose sets the rest. Check which your label means and ask a pharmacist if it is unclear.
Sample schedules
| Interval | First dose 7:00 | First dose 6:00 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 hours | 7:00 · 19:00 | 6:00 · 18:00 |
| 8 hours | 7:00 · 15:00 · 23:00 | 6:00 · 14:00 · 22:00 |
| 6 hours | 7:00 · 13:00 · 19:00 · 1:00 | 6:00 · 12:00 · 18:00 · 0:00 |
For every 8 hours, a first dose at 6 or 7 a.m. puts the last one before bed. Starting at 9 a.m. pushes the last dose to 1 a.m.
When a dose falls at night
If an interval such as 6 hours puts a dose in the middle of the night, ask your pharmacist whether to wake up for it or whether the times can shift. Don’t shorten or skip intervals on your own.
Setting it in the app
Choose the schedule type
On the Add Medication screen in Medication Reminder, pick a schedule. Set times means entering each time; Interval means entering a start time and a gap.
Intervals run until midnight
Interval mode creates reminders from the start time at the chosen gap until midnight that day. Every 8 hours from 08:00 gives only 08:00 and 16:00; start at 06:00 to get 06:00, 14:00 and 22:00.
Past midnight? Use set times
If you already know the times, such as 07:00, 15:00 and 23:00, entering all three with Set times is the most reliable.
FAQ
How many times can one medication have?
Several per day. Each time gets its own reminder and its own line on the Today list.
Can I mark before or after meals?
Yes. Meal timing on the Add Medication screen offers Any, Before meal, After meal and Bedtime.
Medication Reminder
No sign-up, and your medications and dose history stay on your phone. Free on Android.