A method and combination including a visual marker for monitoring a patient to determine compliance with a medication regimen. An orally administrable medication composition is provided in combination with a visual marker. When the combination is orally ingested, the marker causes a coloration or discoloration of the oral and/or pharyngeal cavity of a subject. By visually observing the oral and/or pharyngeal cavity of the subject, one can determine whether medication has been ingested based upon the presence or absence of the coloration/discoloration.