What should I ask before starting any new medicine?
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS
Five questions cover most trouble: What is this for and how will we know it works? How and when exactly do I take it? What are the common side effects and which rare one should make me call? How does it sit with my other medicines and supplements? How long will I be on it and what is the exit plan?
Add the practical pair: what if I miss a dose, and is there a cheaper equivalent.
Write the answers on the box or your phone in the pharmacy, future-you at 11 pm will be grateful. Good prescribers welcome exactly these questions.
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On more than two daily medicines
A weekly organizer prevents the double-dose and missed-dose mistakes every doctor sees. The simplest ones work best, filled once a week at the same time.
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