8 questions to ask your pharmacist about a new medicine

When you are prescribed a new medicine, most of your questions show up after you have left the pharmacy: What time was I supposed to take this? Is it okay with my other medicines? Where should I keep the box? Your pharmacist is the natural person to ask; it just helps to know what to ask ahead of time. In this post we cover 8 questions to ask your pharmacist, a little preparation you can do before you go, and how to note down the answers.

Why is your pharmacist a good person to ask?

Pharmacists are health professionals trained in how medicines are used, their side effects and how they work alongside other medicines. The NHS explains that pharmacists can tell you how to use your medicine, listen to your concerns about side effects and, when needed, refer you to your doctor.

On top of that, you usually don't need an appointment to talk to a pharmacist. Taking a few minutes to ask questions when you pick up your prescription is a much calmer route than getting lost in scattered information online at home. If the pharmacy is busy, you can come back at a quieter time or ask over the phone.

There is no need to feel shy about asking. Even a question you think you "should already know" can matter for using your medicine correctly. Pharmacists hear the same questions every day, and answering them is part of their job.

A little preparation before you go

To help you as well as they can, your pharmacist needs to know everything you take. MedlinePlus recommends keeping a medicine list that includes over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and herbal products alongside your prescriptions, and showing it to every health professional you see.

• An up-to-date medicine list: The name of each medicine, how you take it and since when.
• Over-the-counter products: Pain relievers, vitamins, herbal teas and supplements; add the ones that seem "unimportant" too.
• Allergies and past reactions: If you have reacted to a medicine before, write it down.
• Your questions: Write down whatever comes to mind, one by one; it is very easy to forget them at the counter.

If you take more than one medicine, keeping the list together with your daily schedule makes things easier; 5 ways to keep your medication times straight has practical tips on this.

8 questions to ask your pharmacist

You don't need to ask every question every time. When you start a new medicine, or something changes in one you already take, pick the ones that fit you from this list:

1. What is this medicine for, and how does it help? Knowing its name, any generic version and why it was prescribed makes it easier to take it regularly.
2. How and when should I take it? Go over how many times a day, at what times, with or without food and for how long, together with the label on the box.
3. What should I do if I miss a dose? The answer differs from medicine to medicine; rather than guessing, ask your pharmacist and write the answer down.
4. Can I take it with my other medicines and supplements? Show your list, and remember that over-the-counter products and supplements can interact too.
5. Are there foods, drinks or activities I should avoid? Some medicines come with warnings about certain foods, alcohol or activities such as driving.
6. Which side effects are common, and which need help right away? Learn to tell expected mild effects apart from situations where you should contact your doctor.
7. Can I split, crush or chew the tablet? If you find swallowing hard, say so; some medicines should not be split.
8. How should I store it, and how do I get rid of what I don't use? Ask about storage conditions and where to take medicines that are past their expiry date.

If you look after a family member's medicines, you can ask these questions on their behalf too; in that case, prepare the list around their medicines and, if possible, include them in the conversation. Medicine use can differ for children, older adults and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so be sure to mention this to your pharmacist.

If you want to know more about storage, take a look at how to store medicine at home.

Writing down the answers and looking back later

What you hear at the pharmacy feels very clear in the moment, but after a few days the details can blur. Writing the answers in your own words, in short sentences, helps. Also, don't throw away the leaflet that comes in the box; read alongside what your pharmacist told you, it becomes easier to follow.

• Start a separate heading for each medicine and write the answers under it.
• If there is a term you don't understand, ask your pharmacist to explain it more simply.
• Add questions that come to mind later in the same place for your next visit.
• Note what to do before your prescription runs out; 5 steps to keep track of prescription refill dates can help with this.

Your notes are not a set of instructions for taking your medicine; they are a reminder of what you discussed with your pharmacist and doctor. If you think something needs to change, check with them first.

Pharmacist or doctor?

Your pharmacist can answer many questions, but some situations need your doctor's assessment. The NHS notes that when pharmacists can't help, they refer people to a doctor or another health professional.

• If you want to change your dose or stop a medicine, talk to your doctor.
• If you notice new or worsening symptoms, contact your doctor.
• If you notice a serious reaction such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat, call your country's emergency number without waiting.

In short: your pharmacist is there for questions about how to use your medicine, and your doctor for decisions about your treatment. Showing both of them the same up-to-date medicine list means everyone works from the same information. If you get medicines from different pharmacies, this list matters even more, because each pharmacist may not know everything you take.

Keeping your questions and medicine details together with Oveluni

Oveluni is a personal record app where you can keep your medicine plans, daily logs and check-ups in one place. Noting the questions you want to ask your pharmacist, and the answers you get, next to your medicine records makes it easier to find what you need at your next pharmacy or doctor visit. Oveluni does not diagnose, check drug interactions or calculate doses; for those questions, your pharmacist and doctor are always there for you. Oveluni is coming soon to the App Store.

Sources

1. NHS: How pharmacies can help
2. MedlinePlus: Taking multiple medicines (patient instructions)