WHAT TO ASK YOUR PHARMACIST
TAKING MEDICATIONS can be confusing. To ensure that you understand your prescriptions and get the greatest benefit possible from your drug therapy, we have prepared a series of checklists to help you prepare for your next pharmacy visit.
FILLING A NEW PRESCRIPTION
When you bring in a new prescription to the pharmacy, the pharmacist may ask you some questions about your medical history to ensure that you are getting the most from your medication. These questions will also help the pharmacist double-check if there are potential problems with your new prescription before you take it. When you take your new prescription in to be filled, be ready to tell your pharmacist about: Allergies or intolerances to medications you have taken in the past and the reaction you experienced. Which medical condition your prescription is intended to treat. Some medications can be used for more than one condition. Other medical conditions you may have, as they may be affected by the new prescription. Other medications you are taking, as they may interact with the new prescription. Be sure to mention medications that are not only prescribed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or dentist but also purchased without a prescription, such as over-the-counter drugs, herbals, and vitamins. Any lifestyle factors, such as consumption of caffeine, food intake, and nicotine and alcohol use, that may affect your medical conditions and the way medications work.
PICKING UP A NEW PRESCRIPTION
Before you leave the pharmacy with a brand new prescription, make sure you know the answers to these important questions: What medical condition is the new medication treating? When can you expect to see the benefits of the medication? What are the most common side effects of the medication and how can you manage them? Can you stop the medication suddenly if you are not tolerating it well? How much of the medication are you going to take with each dose? How many times should you take the medication every day, what are the best times of day to take the medication, and how many hours apart should each dose be spaced? How much time should you leave before or after your meals to take the medication? What should you do if you forget to take a dose? Are there any foods, beverages, or other medications you should avoid while taking this medication? What is the proper way to store your medication? How long should you be taking the medication? When is your next followup visit with your physician to see if the medication is working?
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING
It is important to inform your pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, since some drugs may not be safe to take. As the drug expert on your health-care team, your pharmacist will be able to determine which of your medications are deemed safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and will work with your physician to weigh the risks and benefits of medication therapy.