What To Ask Your Pharmacist When Starting New Medication
New medications can be a vital part of helping you manage chronic disease. Get all the information you need about your medication by asking specific questions about your prescription. You should never feel silly asking questions about the drug, and your pharmacist can help you better understand important points that the doctor may not have had time to explain during your appointment.
Keep these questions in mind the next time you go to the doctor’s office and are prescribed a new medication.
What is the name of the medication, and why do I need it?
Knowing the name of your medication is important especially if you are seeing more than one physician. You should always tell your doctor when you use other medication, including non-prescription drugs, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, etc. Several types of medication may treat several different types of illness simultaneously, which is why you should ask about the goal of your treatment. How will my drug do its job?
How and when should I take my medication?
It is of the utmost importance to take your medication correctly so that you get the intended help you need. You may also have previously been prescribed similar medication in other forms, so you should be clear on the best way to take your medication. You can ask some of these specific questions to your pharmacist:
- Can I take this medication on an empty stomach or should I take it with food?
- Do I need to take it at the same time every day?
- How long should I take the medication?
- How often should I take the medication?
You should always continue your medication for the prescribed length of time and not stop beforehand if you feel better as it may cause unwanted side effects. Talk to your pharmacist about whether it is safe to stop medication use before the time period.
Are there any side effects?
All medicine has the potential to cause some side effects, some more common or serious than others. You can ask your pharmacist to help you understand the potential side effects of your medication as well as ways to help you deal with them should they arise. If you are experiencing side effects that were not explained you should contact your pharmacist or physician immediately.
Is there anything I should avoid while taking this medication?
Certain medications have the potential to interfere with others and may either block the effectiveness or intensify their effects. You should always let your pharmacist know about any other medications you are taking and ask if there is a potential risk of your new medication interfering.
Some medicine may also be affected by certain foods, or drinks such as alcohol, and increase or decrease their effects. You should ask your pharmacist about any known harmful interactions of food, drinks, or alcohol with your new medication.
What if I forget to take my medication or take a dose incorrectly?
You should always try and follow the direction for your medication as closely as possible, but accidents happen. If you have trouble remembering to take your medication, your pharmacist may recommend purchasing a weekly pillbox to help.
Depending on the drug, you may need to make up for the missed dose or take the next dose as normal. Ask your pharmacist for advice on the best way to handle a missed dose or a dual dose. It is important to know this information before it happens and take the correct amount of your prescribed medication.
Are you local to Los Angeles? Refill your prescription through Medicopharmacy today and get convenient home delivery or shipment to your office.
We have multilingual pharmacists to better help you understand any potential questions you may have about your medication. Contact us today to find out everything you need about your new prescription.