Asking the right questions
when doctors suggest medication
can help men and
women decide if prescription
medicine is their best option.
Questions to ask when your doctor
prescribes a new medicine for you
Caribbean Life, April 19–25, 2019 37
Wellness
Though few people may want to
take medicine each day, prescription
drugs prolong lives
and help people manage conditions
that might otherwise make it
diffi cult to live life to the fullest.
A 2017 survey from Consumer Reports
found that 55 percent of people
living in the United States take a
prescription medicine. The survey
also found that those who take prescription
drugs use an average of
four such medications. That fi gure
might alarm some people, especially
aging men and women whose bodies
might be more susceptible to conditions
that are often treated with
medication.
There’s no denying that prescription
drugs can save lives. But men
and women have a right to explore
their options when doctors prescribe
them medications, and asking
the right questions when doctors
suggest medication can help men
and women decide if prescription
medicine is their best option.
To help men and women make
the best decisions regarding their
healthcare, the National Institute
on Aging advises people to ask their
physicians these questions when
being prescribed a new medicine:
• What is the name of the
medicine, and why am I taking it?
• Which medical condition does
this medicine treat?
• How many times a day should I
take the medicine, and at what times
should I take it?
• If the prescription instructions
say the medicine must be taken
“four times a day,” does that mean
four times in 24 hours or four times
during the daytime?
• How much medicine should I
take?
• Should I take the medicine on
its own or with food? Should I avoid
certain foods and beverages when
taking this medicine?
• How long will it take this
medicine to work?
• Will this medicine cause
problems if I am taking other
medicines?
• Can I safely operate a motor
vehicle while taking this medication?
• What does “as needed” mean?
• When should I stop taking the
medicine?
• What should I do if I forget to
take my medicine?
• Can I expect any side effects?
What should I do if I have a problem?
• Will I need a refi ll, and how do I
arrange that?
When discussing medications
with a physician, it’s imperative
that men and women be forthcoming
about any other medicines they
might be taking under the guidance
of other doctors. In addition, men
and women should tell their physicians
about any over-the-counter
medicines or vitamins and supplements
they are taking. Sharing such
information can prevent potentially
serious complications from arising.
Medicine saves lives every day.
Smart patients can help medicine do
its job by learning about their medications
and discussing them openly
and honestly with their physicians.