Questions To Ask About Taking Medications
Two out of three doctor visits end with a prescription being written. But not all of those prescriptions are taken correctly, resulting in harm, either because of taking the wrong medicine or not taking the right medicines correctly. What should you do before you start any medication? Ask questions like the ones listed below:
- What is the name of the medicine and what is it supposed to do?
- How and when do I take the medicine and for how long?
- What are the possible side effects, and what do I do if they occur?
- When should I expect the medicine to begin to work and how will I know if it is working?
- Will this new prescription work safely with the other prescription and nonprescription medicines I am taking? Have a list ready of all the medicines, vitamins or over-the-counter medicines you are taking as well as any "home remedies" you use to show your doctor or health care provider.
- Try to use the same pharmacy to buy all of your medicines so your prescription records will all be in one place.
- Ask the pharmacist if information about the medicine is available in large print, or if necessary, in a language other than English.
- Ask the pharmacist any questions that may not have been answered by your doctor.
- How should I store this medicine?
- What is the best way to take this medication? At what time of day? With or without food?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- Are there foods, drugs, dietary supplements, or activities I should avoid while taking this medicine?
Read and keep the written information that comes with the medicine.
If you are taking different medicines, write down what each one is for and how and when to take them. You may also ask your doctor to write down on the prescription what the medicine is used for...not just "take once a day" but "take once a day for high blood pressure."
(Information from National Council on Patient Information and Education)
CMS has a new publication, My Medicines, now available, cost free by calling 1-800-633-4227 or by visiting the following Web sites: www.medicare.gov or www.fda.gov/womens/pubs.html
When you call 1-800-MEDICARE, have this information ready:
- Your Zip Code
- The dose (strength of medication)
- What prescription medications are you currently taking? (for example, two times a day)
- How often you take the drug
- The name of each drug
- The cost of each drug