What to Tell the Doctor
What To Ask? Each time you go to the doctor with the person you care for, ask these questions about their medicines.
- What exactly does this medicine do?
- What's the best time or times of day to take this?
- Are there foods to avoid when taking this?
- Should the medicine be taken with foods or on an empty stomach?
- What about any supplements?
- What are side effects I should watch for?
What to Tell:
- Have the person you take care of keep a list of current medicines on a wallet card that is with them at all times. List all medicines that are prescribed and those bought over-the-counter. Be sure you have an updated list on each doctor’s visit.
- If the person has had any expected side effects, report those to the doctor and tell him or her how long the side effects have lasted.
- If you know a person is having trouble taking the prescribed number of doses of a medicine each day, tell the doctor.
- If the person refuses to take their medicine, tell the doctor.