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When used the right way, medicines can help keep you healthy. This means that you must receive the right medicine, in the right amount, and at the right time.

As a patient or family member, you can work with your doctors, nurses and pharmacists to make sure your medicines work well. You need to learn as much as you can about your medicine.

What can you do?

Be involved in your health care.
The best way that you can help is to play a part in your health care.

Taking an active role in the use of your medicines is three-step process:

1. Take part in decisions about your treatment.
2. Follow the directions you are given.
3. Watch for problems and ask for help if you have problems.

Make sure that your doctor and pharmacist know everything that you are taking.
This includes medicines that you can only get with a prescription and those you can get without a prescription (such as aspirin, antacids), as well as vitamins and herbs (such as Echinacea, Ginkgo biloba).

At least once a year, try to bring in all of your medicines, vitamins, and herbs with you to your doctor.
This can help you and your doctor find and prevent any problems. It can also help your doctor keep your records up to date. You should have a recent list of medication in your wallet or purse. The list should include the name, dose, and the reason for taking each medication; how you take them; the name of your pharmacy; and the month/year you starting taking each medicine. Remember to include herbal medications, vitamins, antacids and calcium.

Ask your doctor and pharmacist for information about your medicines.
Ask questions if you do not understand.

Some questions to ask:

* What are the different names for the medicine (brand and generic)?
* What is the reason for you taking this medicine?
* How and when do I need to take it and for how long?
* What side effects are likely? What do I do if I have side effects?
* Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines, including those that don't need a prescription?
* What if I forget to take this medicine?
* Are there refills for this prescription?
* For women who are breast-feeding and for women of childbearing age, ask if it is safe to breast-feed or become pregnant while taking the medicine.
* How do I know the medicine is working?
* Is there written information I can have about the medicine?
* Should I avoid alcohol while taking this medication?

Make sure your doctor and pharmacist know about any allergies or bad experiences you have had to medicines or food.
This can help prevent you from getting a medicine that can harm you.

When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, look at the name, strength, and the directions to make sure these match what your doctor told you.

Make sure the medicine looks the same as it has in the past.
Although medicines sometimes change color or form, if the medicine has a different look, make sure that it was the medicine prescribed by your doctor.

If you have any questions about the directions, ask your pharmacist.
Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if "four doses daily" means taking a dose every six hours around the clock, or just while you are awake.

Ask questions if you are not sure how to use the medicine or device (such as inhalers or nasal spray) that has been ordered by the doctor.
Ask the pharmacist to show you how to use it and to give written directions

Speak up if you have questions or concerns.
If you think of more questions once you leave the pharmacy, make sure you contact your pharmacist.

Make sure that your own doctor knows about all of your care.
This is important if you have more than one health problem and see different doctors while you are in the hospital.

If possible, use one pharmacy for all your medicine needs.
This helps the pharmacist to know all of your medicine and can help prevent you from receiving the same type of medicine or prevent problems with your other medicines.

While in the Hopsital:

When you are ready to leave the hospital, have your doctor, nurse or the hospital pharmacist review each medicine with you and a family member. Update your medicine list if any medicine changes, or if any new medicines, are added.

Make sure you bring a recent medicine list when you go to the hospital. If you do not have an updated list, bring your medicines with you to the hospital. Once your health care team has reviewed them, send your medicines home with your family (unless your health care team directs you otherwise).

Be honest with your pharmacist and doctor when they ask you how you have been taking your medicine. If you are having a hard time remembering to take your medicines, let your health care team know. They may be able to help you.

You need to be actively involved with your health care by following directions, watching for problems, and asking for help in solving them.

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