How to talk to your doctor about medication

Pharmacology has changed the practice of medicine. Scientists are continually working on new and better drugs to manage medical conditions, from high blood pressure to autoimmune diseases to cancer. The mechanism of a drug — how it actually works on the condition it is mean to treat — is one important factor, but drug delivery, meaning how the medication arrives at the target it is meant to affect, is also key. As a patient, it’s your right to understand everything about a medication prescribed for you. That doesn’t mean you have to become a scientist or pass an exam about pharmacology. But you can and should ask your doctor to explain to you why she has selected this medication for you, how it works, and what side effects you should expect. An article in Pharmacy World and Science explores what medications mean to patients and why it’s important to think about these concepts. Do I need this medicine? How will it impact my body? What control do I have over the effects of the drug? Find out why this particular medication No matter what the health condition is, there is always more than one choice of medication to treat it. Ask why the one your doctor recommends is the best choice for you. You want to know what the medicine is expected to do and how that will be monitored. Will you be expected to keep a log of your pain, symptoms, blood pressure, or blood sugars? Is this a medicine your doctor has used before and is familiar with? It’s a red flag if he says, “Well...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Drugs and Supplements Health Health care Source Type: blogs