Chapter 6: Your Prescriptions: Questions to Answer

Chapter 6: Your Prescriptions: Questions to Answer

Be sure you or your loved one know the answers to each of these questions when a medicine is prescribed. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist to get the facts.
     - What is the name of the medicine?
     - What is the medicine supposed to do?
     - How long is it likely to be before my loved one or I feel better?
     - What are the possible side effects from the medicine?
     - What should be done if side effects occur?
     - Are there any side effects that should be reported to the doctor?
     - How and when do I or my loved one take this medicine?
     - Are there any special instructions for taking this medicine?
     - How long should my loved one or I take this medicine?
     - Are there any foods, beverages, medicines or activities that should be avoided while taking this medicine?
     - Under what circumstances, should my loved one or I stop taking this medicine?
     - What should be done if a dose is missed?
     - How should the medicine be stored?

Other questions you may want to ask are:
     - Is this medication really needed?
     - Is the medicine available in a generic form that costs less? Can the generic drug be substituted for the brand name medicine?
     - Can the prescription be refilled? If so, am I or my loved one to see the doctor before having it refilled?

Hooked on a Prescription Drug?

Anyone can become addicted to prescription medicines. Drugs that are used to relieve pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, coughs and suppress appetite are major culprits. If you or your loved one have been using a prescription drug for some time, take this self-test to determine whether you or the family member you are caring for might be dependent.

   Y    N      Have family members or your doctor ever told you that they were worried about your use of medications?

   Y    N      Do you get annoyed or uncomfortable when others talk about your use of pills?

   Y    N      Have you been treated previously for alcohol abuse, prescription drug abuse or other drug abuse?

   Y    N     After having been turned down for a refill, have you ever changed doctors or drug stores in order to get more of a medicine?

   Y    N     Have you been taking diet pills, tranquilizers, pain medicine or sleeping pills for more than two months?

   Y    N     Are you using your pills more as a crutch than as a solution to a temporary medical problem?

   Y    N     Do you take your pills on the sly or hide that you are taking them?

   Y    N     Do you feel you might be addicted to your prescription medicine?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, there's a possibility you are physically or
psychologically addicted to your medicine. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor.

(The test was adapted from "Hooked on You," Hope Health Publications, 1990)

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