Yes, there are many important questions you should ask your pharmacist to keep yourself safe and healthy. Your pharmacist is like a medicine expert who can help you understand your medications better and avoid problems.
This guide will show you the most important questions to ask your pharmacist. You’ll learn about checking for side effects, drug interactions, proper dosing, and how to save money on your prescriptions. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to ask during your next pharmacy visit.
Why Your Pharmacist Is Your Medicine Helper
Your pharmacist knows a lot about medications. According to America’s Essential Hospitals, statistics show poor medication adherence contributes to more than $500 billion in avoidable health care costs, around 125,000 potentially preventable deaths, and up to 25 percent of hospitalizations each year in the United States. This is why talking to your pharmacist is so important.
Pharmacists go to school for many years to learn about drugs and how they work in your body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 1.5 million people visit emergency departments for ADEs each year in the United States, and almost 500,000 require hospitalization. Many of these problems could be prevented by asking the right questions.
Your local Crystal Lake Pharmacy team is ready to answer your questions and help keep you safe. We offer medication therapy management services to make sure your medications work well together.
Essential Questions About Your Medication
What Is This Medicine For?
This might seem like an obvious question, but it’s very important. You should know what each medicine is supposed to do. This helps you:
- Tell other doctors what medicines you take
- Know if your medicine is working
- Understand why you need to take it
Some medicines treat more than one problem. For example, a blood pressure medicine might also help your heart. Ask your pharmacist to explain what your medicine does in simple words.
Are There Other Names For This Medicine?
Every medicine has at least two names:
- Brand name – like Tylenol
- Generic name – like acetaminophen
Generic medicines have the same active ingredients as brand names but cost less. Some health insurance covers the cost of only a generic version of medication if it’s available. Ask your pharmacist if there’s a cheaper generic version of your medicine.
How Should I Take This Medicine?
Taking medicine the right way is very important. Ask your pharmacist:
- Should I take it with food or on an empty stomach?
- What time of day should I take it?
- Can I take it with other medicines?
- Should I take the whole bottle even if I feel better?
Some medicines need to be taken at the same time every day. Others work better with food. Your pharmacist can explain the best way to take your specific medicine.
Safety Questions That Could Save Your Life
What Side Effects Should I Watch For?
Almost every medication has side effects, and it is important to ask your pharmacist what symptoms to look out for. Not everyone gets side effects, but it’s good to know what might happen.
Ask your pharmacist:
- What are the most common side effects?
- Which side effects are serious and need a doctor right away?
- What should I do if I get side effects?
- Can I do anything to prevent side effects?
For example, some medicines make you more sensitive to sunlight. Others might make you dizzy. Knowing what to expect helps you stay safe.
Will This Medicine Mix Safely With My Other Medications?
Drug interactions can be dangerous and are more common than you might think – especially for those taking multiple medications. According to research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, medication-related problems occur frequently, with nonadherence being the most common issue identified by pharmacists. Medicine mixing problems can happen with:
- Other prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers
- Vitamins and supplements
- Herbal products
Always tell your pharmacist about everything you take, even vitamins. Some combinations can be dangerous. For example, Ibuprofen (Advil) is a popular over-the-counter medication often taken for pain relief, but if combined with other prescription medications that are used to treat blood clots like warfarin or rivaroxaban, it can increase the risk of bleeding.
Can I Take This Medicine With Food or Drinks?
Food and drinks can change how your medicine works. Some foods can change a drug’s effectiveness by interfering with this absorption. In some cases it can render the drug completely ineffective or even cause dangerous reactions.
Important things to ask:
- Should I take this with food or on an empty stomach?
- Can I drink alcohol while taking this?
- Are there foods I should avoid?
- Can I drink grapefruit juice?
Grapefruit is an example of something that interacts with several medications, including cholesterol-lowering drugs, and certain blood pressure medications. Your pharmacist can tell you about these interactions.
Money-Saving Questions
Is There a Cheaper Version Available?
Medicine can be expensive. Ask your pharmacist about ways to save money:
- Generic versions that work the same but cost less
- Discount programs from the drug company
- Insurance coverage options
- Patient assistance programs
Our Crystal Lake Pharmacy team can help you find ways to make your medicines more affordable.
Can I Get a 90-Day Supply?
For medicines you take every day, ask about getting a 90-day supply instead of 30 days. This can:
- Save you money
- Save you trips to the pharmacy
- Make sure you don’t run out
Questions About Taking Your Medicine Correctly
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
It is important to ask your pharmacist about what you should do in case you miss a dosage. As medications can vary, it is essential to know whether you should take the missed dose as soon as possible, wait until the next dose, or take a different course of action.
The answer depends on your specific medicine. Some medicines you can take late, others you should skip and wait for the next dose. Never double up on doses unless your pharmacist tells you it’s safe.
How Should I Store This Medicine?
Drugs may lose their effectiveness if they’re not stored properly. Light, heat, and moisture can be damaging, for example.
Ask your pharmacist:
- Should I keep this in the refrigerator?
- Is the bathroom medicine cabinet okay?
- How long does this medicine last?
- What should I do with leftover medicine?
Most medicines should be stored in a cool, dry place away from children. The bathroom is often not the best place because of heat and moisture.
Special Situation Questions
Is This Medicine Safe During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding?
If you’re pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, always ask about medicine safety. Certain medications can affect unborn babies. Some medicines require a pregnancy test before they’re given to be certain there won’t be any complications to you or a developing baby.
Can I Drive or Work While Taking This?
Some medicines can make you drowsy or dizzy. Ask your pharmacist:
- Will this medicine make me sleepy?
- Can I drive while taking this?
- Will this affect my ability to work?
- Are there activities I should avoid?
This is especially important for new medicines or if you operate machinery at work.
When Should I Stop Taking This Medicine?
Some medications are used for the short term, others for a lifetime. It’s important to know:
- How long should I take this medicine?
- Can I stop taking it when I feel better?
- Do I need to slowly reduce the dose?
- Should I see my doctor before stopping?
Some medicines like antibiotics must be taken for the full time, even if you feel better. Others need to be reduced slowly to avoid problems.
Questions About Getting Help
Who Should I Call If I Have Problems?
Ask your pharmacist:
- Can I call you if I have questions at home?
- What number should I call after hours?
- When should I call my doctor instead?
- What symptoms mean I should go to the emergency room?
At Crystal Lake Pharmacy, our team is here to help answer your questions. We also offer vaccination services and compounding for special medication needs.
Can You Help Me Understand My Insurance Coverage?
Your pharmacist can often help with insurance questions:
- What does my insurance cover?
- Why wasn’t this medicine covered?
- Are there covered alternatives?
- How can I appeal a coverage decision?
Smart Ways to Prepare for Your Pharmacy Visit
Bring a Complete Medicine List
Make a list of everything you take:
- All prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter medicines
- Vitamins and supplements
- Herbal products
Include the name, dose, and how often you take each one. This helps your pharmacist check for problems.
Ask About Refill Reminders
Many pharmacies offer services to help you remember to refill your medicines:
- Text message reminders
- Phone call alerts
- Automatic refill programs
- Mobile app notifications
Get Information in Writing
Ask your pharmacist for written information about your medicine. This helps you remember important details when you get home.
Red Flag Questions That Show You Need Extra Help
Sometimes your symptoms or concerns mean you need more help than usual. Ask for extra attention if:
- You’re taking many different medicines
- You’ve had bad reactions to medicines before
- You have multiple health problems
- You see different doctors who don’t talk to each other
Our medication therapy management services can help people with complex medication needs.
How to Get the Most From Your Pharmacist
Don’t Be Shy About Asking Questions
When it comes to your health, there’s no such thing as a silly question. Your pharmacist wants to help keep you safe. It’s better to ask than to guess about your medicines.
Repeat Back What You Learned
As a practicing pharmacist, I can tell you that this is an important step for patients. When you repeat back what you just learned, the pharmacist can clarify any information or details.
This helps make sure you understand everything correctly.
Build a Relationship With Your Pharmacy Team
Using the same pharmacy helps your pharmacist get to know you and your medicines better. They can spot problems more easily and give you better care.
When to Call Your Doctor vs. Your Pharmacist
Call your pharmacist for:
- Questions about how to take your medicine
- Side effects that aren’t serious
- Medicine storage questions
- Cost-saving options
- Drug interaction questions
Call your doctor for:
- Serious side effects
- If your medicine isn’t working
- New symptoms that worry you
- Questions about stopping or changing medicines
Technology Tools That Can Help
Pharmacy Apps and Online Services
Many pharmacies now offer:
- Mobile apps for refills
- Online prescription management
- Medication reminders
- Drug interaction checkers
Ask your pharmacist about digital tools that can help you manage your medicines better.
Electronic Health Records
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality notes that the widespread use of electronic health records has helped avert errors at the ordering and transcribing stages, but you still need to be an active participant in your care.
Final Thoughts
Your pharmacist is one of your most important healthcare partners. They can help you take your medicines safely, save money, and avoid dangerous problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that in the United States, 7,000 to 9,000 people die each year due to medication errors. Many of these deaths could be prevented by better communication between patients and pharmacists.
The questions in this guide will help you get the most from your pharmacy visits. Remember, no question is too small when it comes to your health and safety.
Visit Crystal Lake Pharmacy for personalized medication care. Our team is ready to answer your questions and help you stay healthy. We’re located conveniently and offer services like prescription transfers, medication therapy management, and more.
Don’t wait until you have a problem. Start asking these important questions during your next pharmacy visit. Your health is worth the extra few minutes it takes to make sure you’re taking your medicines safely and correctly.