What to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist
First of all, Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist for help with prescription medications. Here is a short list of the most important questions.
- First, What is the name of the medicine and what is it supposed to do? Is there a less expensive alternative?
- Second, How and when do I take the medicine and for how long?
- Third, should it be taken with water, food, or with a special medicine. As well as, at the same time as other meds?
- Fourth, What do I do if I miss or forget a dose?
- Finally, taken before, during, or after meals?
- To Conclude, What is the proper dose? For example, does “four times a day” mean you have to take it in the middle of the night?
- What does your doctor mean by “as needed”?
- Are there any other special instructions to follow?
- What foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
- Will any tests or monitoring be required while taking this medicine? Do I need to report back to the doctor?
- What are the possible side effects and what do I do if they occur?
- When should I expect the medicine to start working, and how will I know if it is working?
- Will this new prescription work safely with the other prescription and OTC medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?
More questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist
- Do you have a patient profile form for me to fill out? Does it include space for my OTC drugs and any dietary supplements?
- Is there written information about my medicine? Ask the pharmacist to review the most important information with you. (Ask if it’s available in large print or in a language other than English if you need it.)
- What is the most important thing I should know about this medicine? Ask the pharmacist any questions that may not have been answered by your doctor.
- Can I get a refill? If so, when?
- How and where should I store this medicine?
- Do you have a patient profile form for me to fill out? Does it include space for my OTC drugs and any dietary supplements?
- Is there written information about my medicine? Ask the pharmacist to review the most important information with you. (Ask if it’s available in large print or in a language other than English if you need it.)
- What is the most important thing I should know about this medicine? Ask the pharmacist any questions that may not have been answered by your doctor.
- Can I get a refill? If so, when?
- How and where should I store this medicine?
If you decide to buy medicines on the Internet, check the Web site for the Verified Internet
Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program seal of approval to make sure the site is properly licensed. In addition, been successfully reviewed and inspected. The inspecting agency is the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
Cutting Medicine Costs
Medicines are an important part of treating an illness because they often allow people to remain active and independent. But medicine can be expensive. Here are some ideas to help lower costs:
- Tell the doctor if you are worried about the cost of medicine. The doctor may not know how much your prescription costs, but may be able to tell you about another less expensive medicine, such as a generic drug or OTC product.
- Ask for a senior citizen’s discount.
- Shop around.Look at prices at different stores or pharmacies. Lower medicine prices may not be a bargain if you need other services, such as home delivery, patient medicine profiles, or pharmacist consultation, or if you cannot get a senior citizen discount.
- Ask for medicine samples.If your doctor gives you a prescription for a new medicine, ask your doctor for samples you can try before filling the prescription.
- Buy bulk.If you need to take medicine for a long period of time and your medicine does not expire quickly, you may be able to buy a larger amount of the medicine for less money.
- Try mail order.Mail-order pharmacies can provide medications at lower prices. However, it is a good idea to talk with your doctor before using such a service. Make sure to find a backup pharmacy in case there is a problem with the mail service.
- Buy OTC medicines when they are on sale.Check the expiration dates and use them before they expire. If you need help choosing an OTC medicine, ask the pharmacist for help.
See Also
- Are expired drugs safe?
- Can food interact with my medications?
- Generic Drug Frequently asked questions
- What is the best way to drug side effects?
- Are there ways to stop negative drug interaction?
- Talk to the doctor before stopping any medication.
- Tips on Disposing of expired Medications
- Imprint Code FAQs – For Oral Medications
- Is pill splitting a safe way to save money?
- Tips to Avoid Drug Errors
- What is the Half-life of a Drug?