The Must-Know Info for Every Medication You Take

Pharmacists spend their careers developing specialized knowledge about medicines and how they work for people in different situations. While you may not be a pharmacist, you can benefit from knowing more about the medicine you take.

Take advantage of a MOBE Pharmacist’s extensive knowledge by asking questions until you are sure you understand these four critical elements about each medication you take, whether it’s a prescription or a supplement.¹

#1. Indication: What is the reason or purpose for taking a medication?

Indication refers to the reason you’re taking a medication. For example, insulin is indicated for the treatment of diabetes.² Sometimes your health care provider might prescribe a medication usually indicated for a condition other than the one you have. Antidepressants, for example, are sometimes prescribed to treat migraines.³

When you start on a new medication, make sure you get answers to each of the following questions from your provider or Pharmacist:

• Why am I taking this medication?
• If the medication is used for other conditions, how is it meant to work for me?
• Does this medication replace another medication I am currently taking, or am I adding this medication to my regimen?
• Will I need to take this medication forever?

#2. Effectiveness: How well will this medication work for me?

To manage your medication use over time, you need to be able to tell if a medication is working for you. Knowing what to expect, and how to measure the effectiveness of a medication is important. Understanding how well your medication is working can help you and your health care provider weigh decisions such as whether the treatment results are worth unpleasant side effects.

A Pharmacist can help you seek the answers to the following questions about your medications:

• What are the benefits of taking this medication?
• What are its side effects?
• How long will it take for the medication to work, and how will I know if it is working?
• Will my provider need to increase the dose I am taking?

#3. Safety: What are the possible side effects, risks, or interactions of a medication?

This is one of the most important elements to understand whenever you take a prescription, over-the-counter medication, supplement, or herbal remedy.

Your body and environment are always changing, which means side effects can happen at any time. So if you start experiencing a new symptom, consider whether one of your medications could be involved.

Questions you might ask your health care provider or Pharmacist:

• What are the risks of taking this medicine? Are they temporary or long-term?
• Are there any drug interactions to know about?
• Are there any foods or drinks that can interfere with the medication?
• Does it matter what time of day I take it?

#4 Convenience: How to get the most out of a medication?

To get the most potential benefit from the medications you take, it’s important to understand how to take, store, manage, and pay for them.

Questions to ask your health care provider or Pharmacist:

• How do I take this medication properly?
• What should I do if I forget to take it? What if I miss a dose?
• How many times a day do I need to take this medication for it to work?
• Do I need to take it with food or on an empty stomach?
• If cost is an issue: Are there any equally effective, less expensive alternatives that would be appropriate for me?

Let a MOBE Pharmacist ease your mind.

At MOBE, Pharmacists are a part of your team, offering health guidance and support, at no additional cost to you.

A licensed MOBE Pharmacist can help you minimize risks and make the most of your medications—including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbals, and supplements. Get started today.

References:

1. “The Patient Care Process for Delivering Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM): Optimizing Medication Use in Patient-Centered, Team-Based Care Setting,” CMM in Primary Care Research Team, July 2018, https://www.accp.com/docs/positions/misc/CMM_Care_Process.pdf.

2. “Indications for Drugs (uses), Approved vs. Non-approved,” Omudhome Ogbru, Pharm.D., Medicinenet, https://www.medicinenet.com/indications_for_drugs__approved_vs_non-approved/views.htm.

3. “Migraine Treatment: Can Antidepressants Help?” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/expert-answers/migraine-treatment/faq-20058410.