10 questions your pharmacist wants you to ask
What should you do if you miss a dose of your medication?
A. Take two doses the next time
B. Call your doctor
C. Take it when you remember
D. None of the above
Medication can be powerful when you take it properly. Knowing the answers to 10 questions helps you get the best results—and your money’s worth from your medication.
About half of Americans have taken medication in the last 30 days. More than 13% take five or more medications per day, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How and when to take medication can vary.
“At the heart of what we do as pharmacists is a commitment to ensure that each medication is not only indicated, effective, and safe, but also fits our patients' life and needs,” said Angelyn Leipold, PharmD, a medication therapy management pharmacist in the M Health Fairview Cystic Fibrosis Center. “We partner with our patients to navigate medication concerns which can involve issues with cost, side effects, and challenges with taking medications. It’s important for us to keep our patients feeling informed as to why they’re taking their medications and empower them to feel confident in managing their health.”
Many M Health Fairview primary care and specialty clinics have pharmacists on site who work with the care team. That means they collaborate on your care with the other providers, and they are available to help you with your medication. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, let your healthcare provider know. They can refer you to the medication therapy management (MTM) pharmacist at your clinic.
Leipold encourages you to ask your pharmacist or prescriber the following questions.
What should I do if I miss a dose of my medication?
Forgetfulness happens, so make sure you know whether you’re supposed to take it as soon as you remember or if you should take the next dose at the scheduled time. The answer might be different for each medication you’re taking.
Pharmacists can also recommend tools and strategies to help you manage your medication schedule.
Are there any cost-saving options for my medication?
Your medication can only work if you take it, so if you have concerns getting it, such as transportation to the pharmacy or the cost, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may be able to switch you to a generic or less expensive version of the medication or check for manufacturer copay programs.
What other options are there?
There may be different options to help with a medical condition. If you have difficulty swallowing large pills, are experiencing side effects, or struggle to remember to take medication throughout the day, it’s OK to ask if there’s another option that would work better for you.
Why am I taking this medication?
Especially after a hospitalization, it’s common to leave with a couple of new prescriptions. Knowing what they’re all for and how they are helping you can motivate you to take them. Make sure you know whether a new medication is meant to be taken long-term or temporarily.
Do I still need this?
Ask your pharmacist to review your medications at least once a year. Medical conditions can change over time and sometimes what has worked for years may no longer work. As you get older, medicines that were always fine may start to cause side effects as your body changes. A yearly checkup of your medications helps to make sure everything is still working well for you. You can also ask how your healthcare team is checking whether the medication is effective.
“Sometimes people can feel like they're taking medications all day long,” Leipold said. “We may be able to cut back, either by reducing how many medications they’re on or how often they need to take them.”
How should I take this medication?
Some medications should be taken with food or at certain times of the day to help reduce side effects or to help the medication work better. Sometimes you need to avoid taking one medication with another or eating for a certain amount of time for it to work.
It’s also important to know how long to take a medicine. Some medicines are short-term, while others are meant to be taken for a long time. Some medicines should not be stopped abruptly. Pharmacists can help you know how long you should take your medicines.
Your pharmacist can also answer questions about interactions between prescription medications and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbals, or supplements, food, and alcohol.
Is it safe to take this medication if I am pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant?
If you’re not ready to talk about plans to expand your family, your pharmacist can keep it a secret. But it's important for them to know if you have babies on the brain, so they can work with you safely.
What side effects should I watch for?
Your pharmacist can tell you about the side effects you might notice and what to do about them. Some side effects might be minor, like nausea, that could be eased by taking the medication with food. For something more serious, you need to know when to call your doctor.
Where should I store my medications?
It’s important to keep your medicines somewhere where you can remember to take them, but location matters. Medications shouldn’t be exposed to temperature extremes, hot or cold, so they shouldn’t be left in the car or in a humid room, like the bathroom. Some medicines may need to be stored in their original package or in the refrigerator. Another concern is keeping them away from pets, children, or others who shouldn’t have access. Pharmacists can help you determine how to store your medicines.
What should I do with my old medications that I no longer take?
Certain medications may expire before you finish them. If that’s the case, ask your pharmacist if it’s still safe to take.
“The biggest question is if it’s still going to be effective,” Leipold said. “Most medications lose their efficacy or could become unsafe.”
Many retail pharmacy locations have drug take-back boxes where you can drop off medications that you no longer need. If yours doesn’t, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused medications.
Talk to a pharmacist
Learn more about medication therapy management or schedule an appointment.
