Questions to Ask Your Physician When Medicine is Prescribed

(from the “Caregivers’ Guide to Medications and Aging” document at Family Caregiving Alliance)

I have made a MS Word document with these questions so I can easily jot down answers in the space next to the question. I’ve also color-coded the questions so that some are for the doctor and others are for the pharmacist. I can print my document whenever anyone in my family goes to the doctor. I will try to figure out a way to post this document, because it can be useful to others. Perhaps I can figure out how to make a new page on the blog and post a life-size graphic.

Why is this medicine prescribed?
How does the medicine work in my body?
How can I expect to feel once I start taking this medicine?
How will I know that the medicine is working? Is there a typical time period after which my symptoms should improve?
How long will I have to take the medicine? Will I need a refill when I finish this prescription?
Will this medicine interact with other medications—prescription and nonprescription—that I am taking now?
Should I take this medicine with food? Are there any foods or beverages I should avoid? (Grapefruit, for example, may interfere with the action of certain medications.) Is it safe to drink alcohol while on this medicine?
Are there any activities I should avoid while taking this medicine?
Can this medicine be chewed, crushed, dissolved, or mixed with other medicines?
What possible problems might I experience with the medicine? How can I prevent these problems from occurring? At what point should I report problems with the medicine?
What should I do if I miss a dose of this medicine, or take too much?
What is the cost of the medicine prescribed? Is there a less expensive alternative prescription?
Is a generic version of this medicine available? If so, should I purchase the generic instead of the brand name medicine?
Do you have written information about the medicine that I can take home with me?
Does the pharmacy provide special services such as home delivery or comprehensive medication review and counseling?