It helps to give a written list of all your medicines and treatments to all your doctors, pharmacists and other team members. Keep a copy of the list for yourself and give a copy to a loved one.
Be sure to include:
- prescription medicines, including any samples your doctor may have given you
- over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, or medicines you can buy without a prescription (such as antacids, laxatives, or pain, fever, and cough/cold medicines)
- dietary supplements, including vitamins and herbs
- any other treatments
- any allergies, and any problems you may have had with a medicine
- anything that could have an effect on your use of medicine, such as pregnancy, breast feeding, trouble swallowing, trouble remembering, or cost
Ask Questions
Your health care team can help you make the best choices, but you have to ask the right questions. When you meet with a team member, have your questions written down and take notes on the answers. You also may want to bring along a friend or relative to help you understand and remember.
Use the Question Guide at the end of this pamphlet to help you get the answers you need from your health care team. If you don’t understand an answer, ask again.
Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 30 Aug 2006
