This week, a friend with a complex medical history, asked me what she could take for congestion. I referred them to their pharmacist. Not only were they given excellent advise, the pharmacist helped to resolve a nagging problem they’d been having for quite some time.
Today’s pharmacist is not your parents pharmacist. They are trained to provide services to help you better manage your chronic condition. Be it about a medication, both prescribed and over the counter, treatment options, or even which durable medical goods (e.g. canes, assistive devices) is best for you, this service is free of charge. In fact, when it comes to assistive devices, definitely check with your pharmacy first as a physical or occupational therapist would have to charge an office visit for a similar service.
If you receive your medication through the mail, they should provide a phone number if you have questions. That noted, you can always stop by your local pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist.
Questions to Ask:
• What is the medication you are taking called and what does it do? Knowing the right name (both generic as well as brand name) can help in discussions with health providers, particularly those other than the prescribing provider.
Understanding what the drug does, possible side effects and any possible interactions with other meds you are taking can help you be more compliant in taking proper dosages, and to get help if you should have a reaction.
• When and how to take the medication. While this should be on the prescription label, it’s often helpful to have the pharmacist go over procedures, such as:
- Does it need to be taken on an empty stomach
- Should it be taken at the same each day
- How long should it be taken
- Are their foods, alcohol, over the counter medications, supplements, vitamins etc. that should be avoided while on the medication
- Are there any activities that should be avoided while taking the medication, e.g. driving, operating heavy equipment, being in the sun
• How to store the medication.
• Tips on remembering to take medications. There are lots of “pill reminders” and they will have a good idea of what might work for you.
• How to dispose of medications you are no longer taking or has expired. Many pharmacies will have a “drop box” for such medications. If not, they should know how to dispose of them in your community. You can also ask for help in disposing of used needles/syringes and/or liquid medications which are not allowed in drop boxes.
• What If? Often times if it’s a new medication you may have a variety of concerns and questions, such as:
- Will this medication interact with herbal medicines and other non-prescription drugs, vitamins and supplements?
- If I forget to take a dose, what should I do?
- I might be pregnant. Would this medication be a problem if I am? What about breast feeding?
- I lost the medication, what should I do?
• Recommendations for an over the counter (non-prescription) option to treat an issue, such as a cold.
• Costs: Pharmacists often know of programs to
help with costs and are happy to share that information with you. More than
once I’ve had a pharmacist tell me there is an over the counter product that
does the same thing and is a much cheaper option than the prescription.
They can also suggest a generic if it’s available. However, sometimes the generic is not as good or effective as the brand name. Ask the pharmacist if the generic works as well as the brand name product.
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