Know the Medications You're Taking
Know the Medicines You’re Taking
You should know certain details about your medicines. This helps you take them correctly and safely. For each medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist the questions below. Write down the answers so you don’t forget. Then fill in the information on your medicine list. Also, ask about anything you don’t understand or that seems wrong. For instance, if you get a refill and the pills don’t look like the ones from last time, talk to the pharmacist before taking them.
Questions to ask
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What is the medicine’s name? Find out the brand name as well as the generic name, if any.
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Why am I taking this? What does it do? How fast will it work?
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How often should I take this? At what time of day? Is it important to take it at the same time each day?
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How much of the medicine (what dosage) should I take? How many pills is that?
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What should I do if I miss a dose? What are some of the symptoms that may occur if I miss a dose?
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Should I expect any side effects from this medicine? What should I do if I have them?
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Do I follow any special instructions while taking this? Are there any activities, foods, or other medicines I should avoid while taking this?
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How long should I keep taking this? When I run out, should I order more?
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How often should I come in to have this medicine monitored?
Beware of medicine interactions
Vitamins, herbal supplements, and some over-the-counter drugs can be dangerous to take if you use heart medicines. So tell your doctor about all products you’re taking. This includes even simple remedies for headaches, allergies, colds, or constipation. Show your medicine list to the pharmacist every time you buy prescription or over-the-counter medicine. They can tell you which drugs to avoid. Also, drinking alcohol while taking heart medicine can be dangerous.
Updated:
March 15, 2019
Reviewed By:
Glenn Gandelman MD MPH