Questions to ask a pharmacist

Many people are on many tablets and it can get confusing. So it is worth sitting down with your doctor or pharmacist, every so often, to go through them. Then you can check you (1) understand them, and (2) are taking them properly.

These are questions you may want to ask.

What your medicine does
  • What is the medicine for?
  • How does the medicine work?
  • How can I tell if the medicine is not working?
Taking your medicine
  • How often should I take the medicine?
  • Is the dose correct?
  • When should I take the medicine?
  • How long do I need to take the medicine for?
  • What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Side effects of your medicine
  • Does the medicine have any side effects? If so ..
    • What shall I look out for?
    • What should I do if I get any side effects?
  • Is this medicine OK to use with the other medicines I take (i.e. does it affect them?)
  • Does it need to be monitored, and if so how?
How your medicine affects everyday life
  • Can I drink alcohol while taking the medicine?
  • Will the medicine make me feel sleepy?
  • Will it affect my sex life?

Summary

We have described questions to ask a pharmacist. We hope you have found them useful.