Regardless of your health condition, it’s important to know if you are being prescribed the right medicine. Your doctor may be the sole authority when it comes to your medication, but in some cases, you may have to delve further to find out if a certain drug is exactly what you need. 

At the end of the day, it’s you who gets to determine if the medicine you are taking is right for you. Not only that, your choices will help you steer clear of drugs that might not support your treatment. 

With the help of your physician, consider making better drug choices and making the most out of your treatment:

1. Learn about the risks

Once your doctor prescribes a drug, you wouldn’t want to visit the pharmacy right away. Instead, take time to ask your doctor about certain details such as possible side effects and risks. Your doctor wouldn’t have prescribed the medicine in the first place if you have pre-existing conditions. It’s still important to know what could possibly go wrong in the long run. Doing your research on the possible treatment you will receive should help you make a more informed choice. If you have second thoughts about taking the drug, you can ask your doctor if they can give you something else.

2. Learn why it’s prescribed to you 

It’s also important to know why you are being prescribed a certain drug. For instance, if you have been suffering from insomnia, your physician may recommend taking prescription sleeping pills. These are stronger over-the-counter pills you will find at the pharmacy, so there is always the risk of adverse effects which may include digestive problems, headaches, and even depression. Your doctor can give you a good answer on why you should be taking the medication despite these risks. By understanding why it’s the most effective treatment for your condition, you will be able to take it without reservation. In addition, learning a lot about the medication can help you take it properly and let your doctor know if you are feeling any of the side effects. 

3. Keep a list of your medication

If you have multiple medical providers, you might want to inform them of the medication you are taking. If you are diabetic, for instance, you might want to let your psychiatrist and dentist know that you are taking metformin or insulin. This is crucial especially if they are prescribing painkillers, anti-anxiety pills, and mood stabilizers that might counteract with the other medications as well as the supplements you are taking. This will help your doctor determine which drug is ideal for your medical situation.

Consider keeping a list of the drugs you take along with a schedule for taking each one. You may also want your healthcare providers to collaborate in making sure you are prescribed drugs that are safe and won’t counteract each other.

4. Know if the drug is custom-made for your needs

In case you cannot be treated by certain drugs simply because they are not appropriate for your needs. This is true if you are allergic to certain ingredients or chemicals. For this, your healthcare providers may consider giving you compounded drugs. These drugs are altered so they are safer to take in. However, drug compounding is heavily regulated due to the risks it poses, so it’s important to know if your local pharmacy has a state-licensed compounding facility.

In most cases, the drugs are compounded in an FDA-approved outsourcing facility that uses sterile vs non sterile compounding processes. That’s a lot to take in, but if you have specific conditions that require drug preparations that tailor to your needs, learning about compounding processes and methods is critical.

5.  Learn how to store medication properly

Contamination and environmental conditions can affect the medication’s potency and cause complications. Storing your medication is critical, so you must have the right containers for storing these drugs. In most cases, you may need to keep pills and tablets in their original packaging, but you can always place them in a medicine organizer. Make sure to place the container in a cool and dry area. Moisture and heat can damage the drugs, so see to it that the area is well-ventilated. Through proper storage, you can preserve the shelf life of the drugs and avoid instances of contamination. 

When it comes to your medication, it matters a lot to be informed. Apply these tips so you can enhance the effectiveness of your treatment plan and steer clear of any adverse effects.