Smart Decisions: Know Your Options

Shared Decisions About Medicines

The first rule of medicines is to know why you need each medicine before you use it.

Learn the facts

• What is the name of the medicine, and why do you need it?
• How long does it take to work?
• How long will you need to take it?
• How and when do you take it (for example, with food or on an empty stomach)?
• Are there nondrug alternatives?

Consider the risks and benefits

• How much will this medicine help?
• Are there side effects or other risks?
• Could this medicine interact with other medicines or herbal supplements that you currently take?

Ask about costs

• How much does the medicine cost?
• Is a generic form of the medicine available and appropriate for you?
• Is there a similar medicine that will work almost as well and be less expensive?
• Can you start with a prescription for a few days to make sure the medicine agrees with you?

Talk to your doctor

• What are your concerns about the medicine?
• What do you expect the medicine to do? Are your expectations realistic?
• What other prescription and nonprescription medicines are you taking?
• Do you want to try the medicine or try other ways of treating the problem?

Decision Points are designed to guide you through key health decisions, combining medical information with your personal information to make a wise health decision. See a list of Decision Points about medicines.

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Author:	Katy E. Magee, MA Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: May 19, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
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