Help me find a classy pill organizer.

June 21, 2010 9:24 AM

Looking for a classy pill case/organizer. I take 4 different prescription pills daily, at various times, often at meals, and will be taking them indefinitely. I'm not concerned with hiding my taking of pharmaceuticals completely, but the methods I've tried so far (carrying the original bottles, putting all the pills into one container and digging out the right one, getting one of those 7-day plastic organizers) can be unwieldy and makes me feel like a "sick person" (and telegraphs this to others). My dream pill container would be like an old-school stainless steel cigarette case, but with dividers inside for the different pills. I'm looking for something I can pop open, grab a pill, toss the thing back in my bag, and look non-medicalized (and maybe even a little classy) while doing it.
posted by the jam to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (16 answers total)

Best answer: Maybe something on Etsy. This seems like a start:

Magental Metallic Stingray Pill Case
posted by backwards guitar at 9:26 AM on June 21, 2010 [4 favorites]

You could get seven small, attractive pill cases, fill them all once a week, and carry one with you per day.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 9:36 AM on June 21, 2010

I quite like Hello Kitty candy that comes in a metal pillbox. Bed Bath & Beyond sells them. I couldn't find a picture, but it's just Hello Kitty's head. Once you've finished the candy, put in a makeshift divider and keep your pills in it. This is similar.
posted by Dragonness at 9:42 AM on June 21, 2010

You could try any number of fly boxes designed for fly fishing, they have many separate compartments and often well waterproofed.

A sample
posted by advicepig at 9:48 AM on June 21, 2010

Instead of a wallet I use a cigarette case I got from this site. There are a lot of different options on there; maybe you'll find something you like.
posted by phunniemee at 9:53 AM on June 21, 2010

Your idea sounds great. I've not been able to find anything as nice but here are some lternatives:

Plastic, but four compartments

Boxy like a cig box, still plastic

Slim, metal cylinder

Wallet-like?

Smaller, but a pain to refill frequently.

I hope someone finds the perfect case.
posted by Pamelayne at 9:56 AM on June 21, 2010 [1 favorite]

Since you mention that the pills are prescription medicines, just be careful about removing them from their original containers (yes, I know everyone does this anyway for those pill-a-day organizers) - it could be illegal depending on your location.
posted by pants at 10:01 AM on June 21, 2010

I would get an empty Altoid container and make some inserts to separate the pills into whatever separation they need.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:28 AM on June 21, 2010 [2 favorites]

Uncommon Goods has some neat pillboxes. Also tampon cases, condom cases, etc., that are similar, in case you need a bigger size. No dividers, but very chic.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:29 AM on June 21, 2010

I just got a bead container at Michael's Crafts - they don't seem to have it on their website, but it's round little clear plastic boxes that all screw together to make a tube. I got it for my aunt's meds; we decided it was too complex for her but for an ordinary person I'd think it would be perfect. If you have one near you go look in the beading section, or any art / craft / beading / jewelry making supply store would probably have something similar.
posted by mygothlaundry at 10:41 AM on June 21, 2010

Best answer: I don't know anything about this shop, but these look exactly like what you are talking about, I think.
posted by taz at 10:44 AM on June 21, 2010 [5 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks everybody for the suggestions. I think I'm going to go with the red one from the link taz posted. Now if I could only figure out how to be classy in the other areas of my life...
posted by the jam at 11:38 AM on June 21, 2010

sio42, just to clarify - the laws on keeping medicine in the original container are state and/or federal, as referenced in this article. Sorry I don't have more info.
posted by pants at 12:00 PM on June 21, 2010

FYI the awesome ladies who run that Etsy shop posted above will do gorgeous custom work at srsly reasonable prices, in case you don't see exactly what you're looking for. Maybe if you describe to them your ideal pillbox, they will have some ideas?


Disclaimer: I have bought a fuckton of stuff from them.
posted by elizardbits at 12:14 PM on June 21, 2010

These are larger and higher-ticket than what you need, but I know that I had a terrible time looking for classy pillboxes, and these wooden ones tickled my fancy.
posted by redsparkler at 9:46 AM on June 22, 2010

This sounds goofy, but I bet you could rig up your own by putting compartments in either said cigarette cases (I'm envisioning what you describe and it does sound fab!) or, probably more doable as they're slightly deeper, in those little tins of European candies like violet candy, hard fruit candy, etc.--you know, the small metal cases that often have intricate text and pretty paintings of flowers or fruit on them.
posted by ifjuly at 10:08 AM on June 22, 2010