Smart Decisions About Medicines

See a list of Decision Points about medicines. Decision Points are designed to guide you through key health decisions, combining medical information with your personal values to make a wise health decision.

The first rule of medicines is to know why you need each medicine before you use it.

Learn the facts

• What is the name of the medicine, and why do you need it?
• How long does it take to work?
• How long will you need to take it?
• How and when do you take it (for example, with food or on an empty stomach)?
• Are there nondrug options?

Use this medicine information form(What is a PDF document?) to help you.

Consider the risks and benefits

• How much will this medicine help?
• Are there side effects or other risks?
• Could this medicine interact with other medicines or herbal supplements that you currently take?

Ask about costs

• How much does the medicine cost?
• Is a generic form of the medicine available and appropriate for you?
• Is there a similar medicine that will work almost as well and cost less?
• Can you start with a prescription for a few days to make sure the medicine agrees with you?

Talk to your doctor

• What are your concerns about the medicine?
• What do you expect the medicine to do? Are your expectations realistic?
• What other prescription and nonprescription medicines are you taking?
• Do you want to try the medicine or try other ways of treating the problem?