New prescriptions may be beneficial for your health, but there are essential questions to ask when starting any new medication regimen. Never take a drug without understanding side effects and contraindications. Hickman’s Pharmacy, serving Princeton, WV, suggest you ask the following questions when filling a new prescription.

4 Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist About New Prescriptions

1. What Is the Drug & What Does It Do?

You likely have had a discussion with your doctor that resulted in the prescription, so you may have an idea of why you need the drug, but your doctor may not have explained the medication fully. Ask about the active ingredients, what they do, and how they work. If you are getting a generic drug, know the other brands that are available.

2. How Should I Take It?

Make sure you know the following about taking your medication:

• Frequency—including dosages not to exceed in a 24 hour period.
• Food—some drugs cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach, while others require no food to maximize absorption.
• Timing—do you need to take it at the same time every day? How long should you keep taking the prescription? 

Many people never ask these questions about their prescriptions and take them incorrectly, rendering the drug less effective.

3. Know Side Effects & Benefits

Understand the potential side effects of any medicine you take. Any substance can have effects other than the action intended, but these are not necessarily harmful or concerning. You also need to know if there are potential allergens in your medication. When you begin to take the drug, watch for any potential side effects. Many formulas can be tweaked, or dosages lowered, so communicate any concerns to your pharmacist and doctor.

4. Understand Contraindications

Keep a list of all medications, supplements, and herbal remedies that you take regularly, including dosages and active ingredients. If you see more than one practitioner, they need to know what other substances you are taking. Many drugs should not be taken with alcohol or blood thinners, for example. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s crucial to understand if drugs or remedies are safe for you. Talk with your pharmacist about your drug contraindications.

Prescription drugs go through rigorous testing before they are allowed on the market, but it is important to understand what you’re taking. Hickman’s Pharmacy has a professional staff of compounding pharmacists to answer any questions. They fill prescriptions for men, women, and pets, and they also offer prescription counseling and compounding. Call (304) 425-2188 to talk to a pharmacist or visit their website for a full list of services.