Medications - taking
Talking to your health care providers about your medicines can help you learn to take them safely and effectively.
Many people take medicines every day. You might need to take medicine for an infection or to treat a long-term (chronic) illness.
Take charge of your health. Ask your health care providers questions and learn about the medicine you take.
Know what medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take.
When your provider prescribes a medicine, find out about it. Ask questions, such as:
Ask your provider or pharmacist about the right way to take your medicine. Ask questions, such as:
Ask about how you will feel.
Ask if this new medicine fits in with your other medicines.
Ask if your new medicine interferes with eating or drinking.
Ask other questions, such as:
Call your provider or pharmacist if:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. Your medicine: Be smart. Be safe. www.ahrq.gov/questions/resources/your-meds/index.html. Updated November 2020. Accessed May 26, 2022.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Use medicines safely. health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/everyday-healthy-living/safety/use-medicines-safely. Updated April 8, 2022. Accessed May 18, 2022.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 1/29/2022
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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