Have you ever picked up a prescription medication and wondered, “What’s this for?” Another common situation is to look for a headache medication or cold remedy, and find that there are 20 different medications to choose from. How do you know which one is best for you? The answer: Ask your pharmacist! Pharmacists are a great source for information on how to get the most from your medicines. They are trained to serve as medication advisors.

You may have many choices of where to buy medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription medications). Whether you purchase your products through a community pharmacy, a discount store chain pharmacy, or a grocery store, you need to choose the pharmacist as carefully as you choose your doctor. The pharmacist is an important part of your health care team. It is not uncommon to see more than one doctor; and for this reason, it is very important to use just one pharmacy so your medication records will be located in one place. Your pharmacist can help you keep track of what you are taking, both prescription and non-prescription, and make sure that your medications will not interact harmfully with each other.

Your pharmacist also can serve as your medication advisor when treating you and your family with over-the-counter medications. Even though these medicines do not require a doctor’s written prescription, they are still very powerful and may affect other medications. Here are some questions you should ask your pharmacist before you take medications.

What is the name of the medication, and what is it supposed to do? You should know the name of your medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. Because you may see more than one doctor, you should always inform each doctor of all the medications you are taking. This will help ensure that the medication you take is appropriate for your condition.

When and how do I take it? Taking your medication correctly is very important to ensure that it gives you the help you expect. You might ask, “Should I take this medication on an empty stomach or with food?” or, “How often should I take it?”

How long should I take it? Serious problems may result from not taking all your medication, or by continuing medications too long. Your doctor should indicate the length of time with your prescription order.

Does this medication contain anything that can cause an allergic reaction? If you always use the same pharmacy, the pharmacist will keep your medication history and can help you avoid allergic reactions to the drug or to inactive ingredients in your medication.

Should I avoid alcohol, any other medications, food, and/or activities? Your medication may interact with other drugs causing a harmful effect. Certain foods or alcohol may also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medication without asking your pharmacist if it will interact with alcohol, foods, or other medications. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and may affect activities such as driving.

Should I expect any side effects? All medications can cause side effects, but they are not necessarily serious. Your pharmacist can help you anticipate and understand these side effects and help you deal with them. If you experience unexplained side effects, contact your health care provider or pharmacist.

Is there a generic version of the medication my doctor has prescribed? Your pharmacist can answer this question. Not all prescription medicines have generic counterparts. Generic medicines are usually less expensive than their brand-name counterparts.

What if I forget to take my medication? You occasionally may forget to take your medication. The decision to take a missed dose or not depends on the drug. Ask your pharmacist for advice when you purchase the medication. You should know the answer to this question before it happens.

Is it safe to become pregnant or to breast-feed while taking this medication? Women should consider the possible effects of medications on an unborn child or nursing baby. Some drugs cause no problems, but others can cause birth defects if the mother takes them early in pregnancy. Some drugs can pass through a mother’s system into breast milk and affect the nursing child. Therefore, expectant and nursing mothers should ask their pharmacist or doctor before using any prescription or nonprescription medications.

How should I store my medication? Medications may lose their effectiveness if stored incorrectly. The “medicine cabinet” in the bathroom is not a good place for storage because of the moisture and heat. Ask your pharmacist about proper storage of medications.

By J. Lyle Bootman,
President, American Pharmaceutical Association
Dean, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy

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