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It has become more important for patients to know and ask questions about medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter preparations.

First, all doctors need to know ALL medications a patient uses, even if used only once in a while. List vitamins and herbs too!

Second, patients should ask, "Can this med interact with any other med I take?" Doctors sometimes miss potential problems, so patients should ask. Sometimes, one med can make another med more potent-- it potentiates the effect. Sometimes this is a good thing; for example, one patient may be on 3 blood pressure meds because 1 of them helps the others work better. But sometimes a "potentiator" can lead to serious side effects; for example, the common oral yeast-treatment, Diflucan, can potentiate narcotics and cause respiratory depression. So it doesn't matter what type of med or what it is used for; meds can negatively or positively affect each other.

Third, you should ask, "How do I take this?" Possible answers include: Orally (by mouth), Topically (on the skin, whether creams or patches), Rectally (ex. suppositories), Vaginally (placed into the vagina).

Fourth, "How often do I take it?" If you don't understand "when" to take it, ask for times on the clock.

Fifth, ask "How long do I take this?" Some meds are "PRN" or "as needed". Most antibiotics are 7 days. Other meds are every day until changed by the doctor.

Sixth, "What are the side effects?" AND, "What negative effects should I call you about? Some meds cannot be stopped abruptly. They must be tapered down, so don't just stop a med on your own.

Additionally:

Don't share meds with other people, even if they complain of similar symptoms.

Some meds need protected from light.

Read the pharmacy info. or ask the pharmacist.

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Q: What questions should a patient ask about medications?
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