190623 Starting a new medicine

Talk with your healthcare provider before starting any new prescription, OTC medicine, or supplement, and ensure that your provider knows everything else you are taking. Discuss any allergies or problems you have experienced with other medicines. These might include rashes, trouble breathing, indigestion, dizziness, or mood changes. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist have an up-to-date list of your allergies so they don’t give you a medicine that contains something that could cause an allergic reaction.

You will also want to find out whether you’ll need to change or stop taking any of your other prescriptions, OTC medicines, or supplements while using this new medicine. Mixing a new drug with medicines or supplements you are already taking might cause unpleasant and sometimes serious problems. For example, mixing a drug you take to help you sleep (a sedative) and a drug you take for allergies (an antihistamine) can slow your reactions and make driving a car or operating machinery dangerous.

When starting a new medication, be sure to write down the name of the drug, the dose, and why it’s being prescribed for you. Also, make note of any special instructions for how to take the medicine. For many drugs, this information is included on the bottle or prescription label.

Questions to ask your health care provider about a new medicine

Before you start a new medicine, your doctor or pharmacist can provide important information and answer any questions.

Ask your doctor:

• What is the name of the medicine and why am I taking it?
• Is there a less expensive alternative?
• What medical condition does this medicine treat?
• When should I expect the medicine to start working? How will I know if it’s working?
• What type of side effects might I expect, if any? What should I do if I experience serious side effects?
• Will this drug cause problems if I am taking other prescriptions, OTC medicines, or supplements?
• What should I do if I want to stop taking this medicine? Is it safe to stop abruptly? 
• Will I need a refill? If so, will I need a follow-up appointment or other testing before I can refill the medication?

Ask your pharmacist:

• Is it safe for me to drive while taking this medication?
• Should I take the medicine with food or not? Is there anything I should not eat or drink when taking this medicine?
• How much medicine should I take?
• How many times a day should I take it? At what time(s)? If the bottle says take “four times a day,” does that mean four times in 24 hours or four times when I am awake?
• What does “as needed” mean?
• If I forget to take my medicine, what should I do?

Each time you visit one of your health care providers, tell them about any new prescription drugs, OTC medicines, and supplements you’re taking and be sure to ask if you still need to be on all your medications.

Find more resources for communicating with your health care team about medications.