Norvic International Hospital is committed to the long term health of its patients. The following tips will help you in making informed decisions.
What to ask the doctor
What are the generic and brand names of the medication?
Why do I need to take it? Are there alternatives in terms of potency or cost?
How often should I take it?
What time of day should I take it?
Should I take it on an empty stomach or with meals?
Where should I store the medication?
What should I do if I miss a dose?
How long should I expect to take the medication?
How will I know it is working?
What side effects should I expect?
Will the medication interfere with driving, working or other activities?
Does the medication interact with any foods, alcohol, other medications (including over-the-counter medications), or activities?
Inform the Doctor of any and all other medication you are taking and whether you have any allergies or pre-existing medical conditions
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding
Do not discontinue medicines without the advice of your doctor
Find out if any food is to be avoided when taking a particular medicine
If you have any doubts about the medication prescribed to you, clear it with your doctor
Ask the doctor to explain your prescription to you if you have any doubts about it, some medication is not swallowed at all but kept under the tongue
Safe Practices: at Home
Try to purchase your medicine in its entire ‘strip form’. This allows you to read the name of the medicine and its expiry date
Some medicines may be purchased only with a prescription. These laws are in place to protect you from adverse drug incidents
Keep all your medicines in a designated area, out of reach from infants and children
Store medicines away from direct sunlight in a cool dark place to maintain its potency. Some medicines need to be kept in a refrigerator
Separate and discard expired medicine
Keep a log or history of all medication consumed daily. Some people have found that maintaining a ‘pill box’ that is pre-filled daily avoids confusion and prevents overdose
Contact your Doctor in case you experience adverse effects
Travel guidelines
Keep medications in their original containers in your carry-on luggage when you travel
Do not pack your medications in checked luggage in case your suitcase is lost
Take extra medication with you when you travel in case your flight is delayed and you need to stay away longer than planned
