7 Questions to Ask When Starting A New Medication

Many seniors take multiple medications, so adding any new medicine can be potentially harmful and cause serious health problems. There are certain medications that are known to negatively affect other drugs. These adverse affects can occur between other prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements that you or your loved one are currently taking.

Unfortunately, there are some doctors who may not take the time to check that a new medication won’t cause problems. Here are some of the most important questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking your newly prescribed medication.

1. What is the purpose of this medication?

This question is the most basic question you need answered. Although the answer may seem obvious, if you don't know what the medication is treating, then you may not understand the importance of taking it. For example, if the medication was prescribed to you for chest pain, you may feel decide that you don't need to take the medication if you are not having chest pain, however if you understand that the medication does not reduce the chest pain directly, but rather regulates the blood flow that prevents the pain, then you will likely continue to take the medication as prescribed because you understand the actual purpose of the drug.

2. What are the dosing instructions?

This is the when and how to take your medication to ensure it provides the help you need. Typically, a brief description is provided on the medication label, but your doctor or pharmacist may have some helpful hints to keep side effects at a minimum. For example, best time of day, with food or empty stomach, or can it be crushed? Once you have determined the best times of day, the number of times daily and the suggestions for how to maximize benefits while minimizing side effects , then it is up to you to determine how best to fit this new medication into your daily routine.

3. What are the side effects?

Almost every medication comes with some side effects, but they are not all serious. It is important to understand which side effects may be common and which ones are rare and could be life threatening. Your doctor can help you anticipate the possible side effects and how to deal with them, in addition to explaining to you when to become concerned and seek medical attention. You should not stop taking your medication without first talking to your doctor. If you think you are having a serious side effect that is of immediate danger to your health, call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

4. Are there any generics or alternate medications?

Generic drugs are often less expensive than their brand name counterparts, so many people are tempted to purchase the generics instead of the brand name to save themselves some money. Before choosing this option however, you should have a conversation with your doctor as he/she may have chosen one particular drug over another for reasons such as side effects, allergies or specific efficacy data. You will likely need to check with your insurance company as well if cost is a concern as to whether a brand name medication will be covered when there is a generic available.

5. What are possible food, drug or activity interactions I should know about?

Your new medication may interact with other drugs, dietary supplements, food or alcohol that could cause an adverse reaction if taken together. For example, grapefruit juice can interact with high cholesterol medications, impotence drugs and psychiatric medications. While alcohol can increase the side effects of medications used to treat pain, depression and blood clots. It is important to inform your doctor about all of the medications you are currently taking so that you can be advised of any possible interactions. Your doctor should also let you know if you should avoid activities such as driving, as some medications may cause drowsiness or other symptoms that could affect alertness levels.

6. What should I do if I miss a dose?

Occasionally, we may forget to take our medications as prescribed, so we should know the impacts of missing a dose and what to do when that happens. With some drugs, you may be instructed to take a double dose on your next planned dose, while with other drugs you may be just fine to resume with your normal dose. There are also some medications that have special instructions because of risks associated with a missed dose, so knowing what to do and when to contact your doctor is essential.

7. How long until it starts working and how long will I need to take it?

You should always take your medication as prescribed and don't stop taking your medication until you have consulted with your doctor as you could develop a serious problem. Medications may in how quickly they begin to work in your body. Some (like sleep aids) may start working in less than an hour, while others (depression meds) will need to build up in your system and may take as long as 2 weeks until you feel the effects. You should ask your doctor how long you will need to take the medications and if you will need refills. If you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, then ordering multiple refills from a mail order company may save you money and ensure you don't run out. Also, stopping some long term medications, like blood pressure and diabetes medications, can make you sick and lead to potentially dangerous problems. If you are taking medication for an acute condition, you should ensure that you take all the medication as prescribed, even if you start feeling better. For example, if you are taking medication for pneumonia, you may be place on an antibiotic and start to feel better after just 48 hours, but stopping the meds abruptly could cause the condition to get worse and halt your recovery.

Starting a new medication can be a confusing time, so knowing the basics of your medication can help ensure effectiveness and reduce the risks of side effects. Before adding a new medication, be sure your doctor knows all of the medications and supplements that you or your loved one is taking. Be sure to also consult your pharmacist when taking a new medication, particularly if you have difficulty swallowing pills, or has chewing problems, as they may be able to make suggestions on alternate formulations such as liquid medicines, or if your medication can be crushed in applesauce and still remain safe and effective. The can also explain to you the abbreviations used on bottle labels such as BID (twice per day) or PRN (as needed).

In all cases, if you don't know, reach out to your medical providers as medications are an essential part of keeping you or your loved one healthy.

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