Got a New Prescription?

You want the medicine you take to make you feel better, not worse. But if you don't take your medicine correctly, it may not work well—and it could cause serious, but preventable, side effects.

That's why when your doctor prescribes a new medicine, you should clear up any confusion you may have about the right way to take it. So before you fill your prescription, be sure you know the answers to these questions:

• What's the name of the medicine? And what is it supposed to do?
• How and when do I take the medicine and for how long?
• What about the timing of each dose? For example, does "four times a day" mean I have to take it in the middle of the night?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• How long will it take for the medicine to work? And how will I know if it's not doing its job?
• Will this medicine cause problems if I take it with other medicine, including over-the-counter ones?
• Should I take this medicine with food or not? Is there anything I shouldn't eat or drink while taking it?
• Is it OK to drive while I'm on this medicine?
• What are the possible side effects, and what should I do if they occur?
• Do I need any tests or other monitoring while taking this medicine?

At the Pharmacy

Asking these three questions when you pick up your prescription is still another chance to get the most from your medicine:

• Do you have any written information about my medicine?
• How can I get a refill?
• How should I store my medicine?

The more you know, the safer you'll be.

Don’t Keep Quiet, Clear Things Up

When your doctor prescribes a new medicine, you should clear up any confusion you may have about the right way to take it.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.