Thames EMS - Medicine Do's and Don'ts

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MEDICINE DO’S AND DON’TS

DO…

· … ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain how a medicine should be used, before you take the first dose.

· … pay close attention to and follow the instructions your doctor or pharmacist has provided for taking your medication.

· … make sure your doctor’s prescriptions are written clearly so the pharmacist can read them. And be sure you can read the label and instructions on any medicine container you are given. If the text on the label is too small or difficult to read, ask the pharmacist to use a large printer font or to provide an instruction sheet with large print.

· … tell your doctor about any problems you believe might have been caused by a drug, such as a rash, indigestion, dizziness, or loss of appetite.

· … visit or call your doctor immediately if you have any problems with your medicines.

· … go over your drug list with your physician every time you visit and especially when he or she prescribes a new medicine.

· … throw away or let your pharmacist dispose of any medicines that have expired.

DO NOT…

· … stop taking a drug that has been prescribed for you unless your doctor says you should. This is true even if you no longer feel ill or have the symptoms you had before

· … take more or fewer pills than were prescribed, or at longer or shorter intervals than indicated on the instructions.

· … drink alcohol when you are taking a medication unless your doctor has specifically said that you can.

· … share a drug that has been prescribed for you, or take a drug prescribed for someone else.