Consumers today want to be informed. They try to find out about the movies and restaurants they plan to go to, how to run new appliances, and what to do if a product isn't working well. Being an active consumer is even more important when the product is medicine. Here is a checklist you can use to make sure you're getting the most from your medicines.

Consumer Medication Checklist

An informed consumer needs to know key facts about the prescription medicines he or she buys and / or takes. Be sure you understand:

Your Rights

• The right to information. As part of buying medical care and related services, you have a right to information about your prescription medicines in language you can understand. Giving patients the information they need to use their medicines wisely is not an "extra." It is a basic part of good health professional care.
• The right to ask questions. Many people hate to bother their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse with "dumb" questions. But if you don't really understand how or why to take your medicines, chances are you'll make a mistake. Your healthcare professional wants you to get well. Answering questions is part of the job.
• The right to take part in treatment decisions. Before you decide to take a medicine, you should know its pros and cons, how it can help, how it could hurt (side effects and dangers), and what will happen if you don't take it. You should tell the doctor or nurse if you like pills better than liquids or if it would be easier to take one large tablet rather than four smaller ones. When you work with your healthcare professionals you'll be satisfied that the medicines prescribed are right for you.

Your Responsibilities

• To communicate with your healthcare professionals. They need information from you to give you the quality care you want. Tell the pharmacist, doctor, nurse, dentist, or physician assistant if the drug has side effects or makes you feel worse. Tell them exactly how it feels, when it happens, and how long it's been going on. It's also important to be honest if you're having problems remembering to take the medicine and how well you're following advice.
• To do your part to make your treatment succeed. Once you leave the doctor's office, hospital, or pharmacy, how well your medications work is up to you. Only you can make your treatment succeed, by following instructions for taking medicines safely and effectively.

Your Medicines

Find out:

How to read your prescription and the label on the medicine bottle. Doctors and pharmacists use abbreviations you may not understand.

• The name of the medicine and what it is supposed to do.
• How and when to take it, and for how long.
• What foods, drinks, other medicines or activities to avoid while taking it.
• If there may be any side effects and what to do if they occur.

Your Options

For Information. When choosing a doctor, pharmacy, or hospital, find out what communication and education services are available. Will they look at and discuss with you the medicines you currently take if you bring them in? Do they take the time to discuss your concerns with you? Do they provide written drug information you can take home?

For services. Special services may make a difference to you. For example, some pharmacies keep a medication profile on each customer. It is a record of all the medicines you take and helps make sure you don't mix medicines with bad results. Others offer home delivery and telephone counseling. Some hospitals offer group classes in medicine taking skills or have home care programs to be sure you take your medicines correctly once you're back at home.