Be an Active Member of Your Health Care Team

When it comes to using medicine, there is no such thing as completely safe. All medicines have risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a drug means that the benefits outweigh the known risks that are outlined on the drug's label.

Physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists and YOU make up your health care team. To reduce the risks related to using medicines and to get the maximum benefit, you need to play an active role on the team.

SPEAK UP

The more information your health care team members know about you, the better they can develop a plan of care tailored to you. The members of your team need to know:

• your complete medical history
• any allergies and sensitivities you have
• the medications you take routinely and occasionally - prescription and over-the-counter
• any dietary supplements you use, including vitamins and herbals
• other therapies you use
• anything that may affect your ability to use the medication

Your health care team members help you make the best-informed choices, but you have to ask the right questions. When you meet with a team member, have your questions written down and take notes.

You may also want to bring along a friend or relative to help you understand and remember the answers.

Use the Question Guide to help you gather the information you need from your health care team. If you don't understand an answer, ask again.

LEARN THE FACTS

Before you purchase a prescription or over-the-counter medicine, learn and understand as much about it as you can, including:

• generic and brand names
• active ingredients
• proper uses--(indications/contraindications)
• instructions
• warnings and precautions
• interactions--with food, dietary supplements, other medicines
• side effects/adverse reactions
• expiration dates

Your Decision After you have exchanged all the information, weigh all your options. At this point you must decide if the benefits you hope to achieve from the medicine outweigh its known risks. The final choice is yours.

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

When you are ready to use the medicine, maximize the benefits and minimize the risks by following the instructions printed on the drug label:

• Read the label every time you fill your prescription--before you leave the pharmacy. Be sure you have the right medicine and understand how to use it.
• Read the label every time you are about to use the medicine--to be sure it's the right medicine, for the right patient, in the right amount, in the right way, at the right time.
• Take the recommended dose exactly as prescribed--no matter how tempted you are to use more to feel better faster.
• Finish all the medicine as directed--even if you start to feel better before all your medicine is completed.

Pay attention to how you feel and notify your health care team of any problems.

If you have doubts that the medicine is working effectively, don't stop taking it without checking with the team. Some medications take longer to show a benefit, and some need to be withdrawn gradually to decrease undesirable effects.

If you experience a side effect, let your health care team know immediately. An adjustment in the dosage or a change in medication may be needed.