What to Do at the Doctor's Office

• Provide accurate medical information: It is very important that your doctor knows as much as possible about you before he or she prescribes a medication. You should tell the doctor the following information—making sure that the facts are recorded accurately in your medical chart.
  
  
  • Other medications you are currently taking: This can include OTC medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements as well as prescription medications. It is important that each of your doctors knows all the medications prescribed to you by other physicians. Do not count on your doctors or pharmacies filling the drugs to do this for you.
    
    
  • Past history of allergic or other reactions to medications: Even if it seems minor to you, let your doctor know about reactions such as rashes, itching, nausea, dizziness, and other side effects.
    
    
  • Pregnancy: Let your doctor know if you are or may be pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding. Many medications will cross into the baby’s blood during pregnancy or may pass into your milk if you are nursing. Some of these could be harmful to your baby.
• 
  
  
• Ask questions: You should also ask questions and write down the answers. You will get a lot of information at a doctor's visit. No one can remember all the instructions, so take notes. Some good questions to ask about prescription medications are the following:
  
  
  • What does it do?
    
    
  • When do I take it?
    
    
  • How do I take it (with food, for example)?
    
    
  • When do I stop taking it?
    
    
  • What are the more common side effects?
    
    
  • Will this interact with anything else I’m taking?
    
    
  • Will I get a generic equivalent of the drug prescribed?