MedsLog Help

MedsLog for Mac is now FREE!  But that also means all tech support is done via the MedsLog Google group.

What does MedsLog do?

MedsLog Setup

People

If MedsLog is to be used by only one person, you can skip the People setup.
  1. On the main window, click on the People tab.
  2. Click on the + button to add a new person.
  3. Change the name by either double-clicking on the name in the list, or double-click the name at the bottom of the window.  Use whichever method is easier for you.
  4. Enter a calendar name if you are going to sync with iCal.  Everyone can use the same calendar, or each person can have their own.
  5. Optionally drag a picture of the person onto the image area to the right of the list.  Once the picture is over the image area, release the mouse button.
  6. Repeat the above steps for any additional family members.

Medications
Shows all the medications, creams, & ointments that will be consumed or applied by all family members.
  1. On the main window, click on the Medications tab.
  2. Click on the + button to add a new medication.
  3. Change the medication name by either double-clicking on the name in the list, or double-click the name at the bottom of the window.  Use whichever method is easier for you.
  4. Select the person who will be using this medication in the Person popup menu.  If two or more people are using the same medication, then you probably should set up multiple medications using similar names (something like "Vitamin C Kyle" and "Vitamin C Lois").
  5. Optionally enter some text for the Dosage.  Something like "3 times a day after a meal."
  6. Optionally enter some text for the Notes.  Something like "may cause dizziness."
  7. Optionally check the Alarm box to set an alarm in iCal.  See the iCal section for more info.
  8. Optionally set the last date medication is to be consumed (used by iCal).
  9. Optionally set the Purchase Information.
  10. Repeat the above steps for any additional medications.

Consume Times
Shows all consume or apply times for all medications.  All consume times are assumed to be daily times.
  1. On the main window, click on the Consume Times tab.
  2. Click on the + button to add a new consume time.
  3. Change the time by either double-clicking on the time in the list, or edit the value at the bottom of the window.  Use whichever method is easier for you.
  4. Select the medication from the Med popup menu.
  5. Repeat the above steps for any additional consume times.

Consumed Log
This is where you log your consumed or applied times.  Additional information can be added to each log entry.
  1. On the main window, click on the Consumed Log tab. This logs when someone has consumed or applied a medication.
  2. Click on the + button to add a new consumed log value.
  3. Optionally enter any values.  For example, if you have hypertension, you may want to enter your blood pressure.
  4. Select the medication from the Med popup menu.
  5. Repeat the above steps for any additional consumed or applied medications.

Using iCal with MedsLog

If any medications in the Medications tab have the alarm enabled, you can sync the MedsLog data with iCal so that the alarms are set up within iCal.  The iCal alarms will work even when MedsLog is not running, and they will propagate to your iPhone or iPod calendars as well.

MedsLog creates new iCal calendars and names them the calendar names shown in the People tab.  The MedsLog data are used to create the iCal events. You probably already have a Home calendar in iCal and maybe a few other calendars, so adding MedsLog calendars to iCal should not interfere with your existing calendars.  Once the MedsLog calendars have been added, you can alter them or even delete them. 

IMPORTANT: every time you sync MedsLog with iCal, it will delete your existing MedsLog calendars and create new MedsLog calendars, so any modifications you may have made to the MedsLog calendars will be lost.  Your non-MedsLog calendars will not be affected.
  1. Select iCal Sync from the File menu
  2. Select which type of alarm to use from the Alarm popup menu
  3. Click OK
  4. You may now view the newly created calendar within iCal.

Merging data with MedsLog for iPhone and iPod Touch

Available only with MedsLog iPhone prior to v2.
You can merge (not sync) data between MedsLog for Mac and MedsLog for iPhone / iPod Touch (requires MedsLog version 1.6 or greater).  When merging medications or people, MedsLog compares the name value.  If the name is the same, MedsLog assumes it's the same medication or person, and that medication or person data is not merged. 

Merge data setup.

MedsLog for Mac.
  1. Select iPhone / iPod Merge from the File menu.
  2. Click Start Broadcasting on the resulting window. 
MedsLog for iPhone / iPod.
  1. Start MedsLog and tap Merge Data with Mac.
  2. Tap Continue.
  3. Tap on a computer name.
  4. Tap on either Send MedsLog data to the Mac, or Get MedsLog data from the Mac.
Messages should appear on the MedsLog Mac's iPhone & iPod Data Merge window.  If you tapped Send MedsLog data to the Mac, within a few seconds the MedsLog Mac windows are populated with MedsLog data form the iPhone / iPod Touch.

To quit the data merge session, click Stop Broadcasting on the Mac.

If you are unable to connect between the iPhone / iPod and the Mac:
WiFi network.  Assure that you are connected to a working wifi network.
Firewall setting.  Open the Mac's System Preference, click on Security, click on Firewall.  Click on Allow all incoming connections.  See example image.  If you have the Firewall set to "Set access for specific services and applications" be sure to click Allow when asked if you want the application MedsLog to accept incoming network connections.  See example image.

Importing data from MedsLog for iPhone and iPod Touch

Available only with MedsLog iPhone v2 or greater.
Export the data from MedsLog for iPhone v2+ as an email attachment.  Import the data with MedsLog for Mac by selecting Import from the File menu.