Abstract: A highly portable, disposable, self-contained timer provides a user-perceptible signal at automatically-successive, fixed time intervals to alert the user as to the times for taking medications. The time intervals are not variably programmable, and different timers having different fixed time intervals are provided for use with different medications. Preferably, the time intervals are nonuniform, comprising multiple shorter intervals combined with a longer interval corresponding to a normal sleeping period so that, when the timer is initialized in accordance with the user's sleeping cycle, no signal is emitted while the user is asleep. The device is powered by a nonreplaceable battery for economy and disposability, and a deactivator circuit is included which permanently disables the unit after a predetermined length of time well within the life of the battery.