What to Ask When You Get a Prescription
By Joy Pierce Mathews for Summit Medical Group
The Summit Medical Group model of care focuses on well-coordinated, comprehensive, and convenient care that puts patients first. To ensure that you receive the highest standard of care, the Group wishes to help you:
- Take a role in your health care
- Ask questions
- Understand your condition or disease
- Understand and decide about your treatment options
Our Doctor Discussion Guide can make it easier for you to ask important questions when you visit your doctor and you are prescribed a medication. Download the Guide and follow these simple steps:
1) Place the Doctor Discussion Guide in a convenient location such as your refrigerator before your appointment. Having it handy will make it easier to make notes on it as you think of things you’d like to ask your doctor.
2) Write down all questions, concerns, or side effects that you are having.
3) Use the section at the bottom to write additional questions or make notes about recommendations your doctor has about your health, medications, and follow-up appointments.
4) Take all your medication bottles to your appointment or list them with the proper dosing below.
Don’t feel embarrassed to ask your doctor about any concerns you have about your health. Remember that he or she can only provide the care you need if you are honest about your complete medical history, including your lifestyle habits such as smoking, your diet, emotional problems, alcohol and drug use, and not taking medications as prescribed.
If you received a prescription, you should ask:
1) What is the purpose of the medication you’re prescribing for me?
2) What does it cost?
3) Does my insurance cover the cost of it?
4) What’s the name of the medication?
5) What’s its generic name?
6) Is it ok for me to take the generic form?
7) How is the medication spelled?
8) Will it have side effects?
9) When should I tell you about side effects I’m having?
10) How should I take the medication?
11) When should I take it?
12) How much should I take at one time?
13) How long do I need to take it?
14) When will the medication start working?
15) Can I stop taking my medication when I feel better?
16) Can I get a refill?
17) Do I need to avoid certain foods, drinks, or activities when I take my medication?
18) Must I stop taking other medicines I’m already taking while I’m taking this medication?
19) Can I take vitamins with my medication?
20) What should I do if I forget to take my medicine?
21) What should I do if I accidentally take too much medicine?
22) Is there any information I should take home with me?
23) Are there any tests I need to take while I’m on this medicine?
Use this section to list any symptoms or other concerns you would like to discuss with your doctor.
Please click on any of the following links for a list of downloadable questions about:
- Prescriptions
- Tests or procedures
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Surgery
- Choosing a practitioner
- Choosing a health plan
- Choosing a hospital
- Long-term care
