Women’s Health: Five Questions to Ask About Your Medicines
Medicines can be an important part of managing your health at different stages of life. But receiving a prescription does not mean you have to leave the consultation with unanswered questions.
Understanding why you are taking a medicine, how to use it correctly and what to look out for can help you feel more informed about your care.
Women may also experience changes throughout life that are important to discuss with a healthcare professional. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, starting or stopping other medicines or supplements, or new health concerns may all affect the advice that is appropriate for you.
If you have been prescribed a medicine and something is unclear, ask. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide information based on the medicine and your individual circumstances.
Key points:
- You have the right to ask questions about medicines you have been prescribed.
- Make sure you understand why you are taking a medicine and how your prescriber has instructed you to use it.
- Ask what side effects you should be aware of and what you should do if they occur.
- Tell your healthcare professionals about prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, vitamins, supplements and complementary medicines you use.
- Pregnancy, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding should be discussed with your doctor or pharmacist when reviewing medicines.
- Do not start, stop or change the dose of a prescribed medicine without appropriate professional advice.
Five questions to ask about your medicines
1. What is this medicine for?
Start with the most basic question: why have I been prescribed this medicine?
Your doctor can explain the reason the medicine has been prescribed and its intended role in your care.
You may also want to ask:
What is the expected benefit?
How will we know whether it is having the intended effect?
When should my treatment be reviewed?
Is there anything important I should monitor?
If you cannot remember everything discussed during an appointment, ask whether there is written information you can take home.
Understanding the purpose of a medicine can make its directions easier to follow and can help you know when to seek further advice.
2. How and when should I take it?
Medicines have different instructions for use.
Make sure you understand:
How much to take
How often to take it
What time of day to take it, if relevant
Whether there are particular instructions about food
What to do if you miss a dose
How the medicine should be stored.
Follow the directions provided by your prescriber and pharmacist.
If the instructions on a label are unclear, or you cannot remember what you were told, do not guess. Ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain them.
Your pharmacist can also help you understand the information provided with your medicine, including its Consumer Medicine Information where available.
3. What side effects should I know about?
Medicines can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist which side effects are more common, whether there are any serious effects you should know about and what you should do if you experience something unexpected.
Useful questions include:
What side effects should I look out for?
Are there symptoms that require prompt medical attention?
What should I do if I think I am experiencing a side effect?
Is there anything I should avoid while taking this medicine?
If you develop new symptoms after starting a medicine, speak with an appropriate healthcare professional rather than assuming the medicine is responsible.
Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine because of a possible side effect without seeking appropriate professional advice. If you think you are experiencing a serious reaction or medical emergency, seek urgent medical assistance.
4. Could this medicine interact with anything else I take?
Your healthcare professionals need an accurate picture of what you use.
That includes more than prescription medicines.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about:
Prescription medicines
Medicines purchased without a prescription
Vitamins and minerals
Herbal products
Complementary medicines and supplements.
Medicines and other products can sometimes interact. An interaction may affect how a medicine works or increase the likelihood of unwanted effects.
Keeping an up-to-date medicines list can make these conversations easier, particularly if you see several healthcare professionals.
Include the name of each medicine or product, the amount you take, how often you take it and, where possible, why you use it.
Bring this list to medical appointments and pharmacy consultations and update it whenever something changes.
5. Is there anything I should discuss if I am pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding?
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, tell your doctor and pharmacist about the medicines and other health products you use.
This includes prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, vitamins, supplements and complementary medicines.
Some medicines can be used during pregnancy while others may require additional consideration. The advice can also depend on factors such as the medicine, dose and stage of pregnancy.
Do not assume that a medicine is safe or unsafe based on information you have seen online or another person’s experience.
Equally, do not suddenly stop a prescribed medicine because you discover you are pregnant.
Speak with your doctor, pharmacist or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional. They can consider the potential benefits and risks in your individual circumstances and advise you on the appropriate next step.
Keeping an up-to-date medicines list
One of the simplest ways to prepare for a conversation with your healthcare team is to keep a current list of what you take.
Your list might include:
- Medicine or product name
- Strength, if known
- How much you take
- How often you take it
- When you take it
- Why it was prescribed or why you use it.
Remember to include medicines you only use occasionally as well as vitamins, supplements and complementary products.
If something changes, update the list. You can bring it with you when visiting your GP, specialist, pharmacist or another healthcare professional.
When should you speak with your doctor or pharmacist?
You do not need to wait until something goes wrong before asking about a medicine.
Consider speaking with your healthcare professional if:
- You do not understand why a medicine has been prescribed
- The directions are unclear
- You are concerned about a possible side effect
- You are finding it difficult to take the medicine as directed
- You have started taking another medicine or supplement
- Another healthcare professional has recommended changing your medicines
- You become pregnant, are planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding
- Your health circumstances have changed
- You are considering stopping a prescribed medicine.
Your pharmacist can explain how to use medicines you already take and help identify questions that may need to be discussed with your prescriber.
Your doctor remains responsible for assessing your health and determining whether a prescribed treatment should be started, stopped or changed.
Where does a compounding pharmacy fit?
A compounding pharmacy does not diagnose a health condition or decide which prescription treatment a patient should receive.
Those decisions are made by an authorised prescriber based on the individual patient’s health and circumstances.
Compounding may become relevant when a prescriber determines that an approved, commercially available medicine does not meet an individual patient’s clinical needs.
For example, an individual patient may require a different strength or dosage form, have an allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient in an available medicine, or require a medicine that is unavailable or discontinued.
Where appropriate, a prescriber may provide a valid patient-specific prescription.
The role of the compounding pharmacist is then to review, prepare and dispense the medicine in accordance with that prescription and applicable professional and regulatory requirements.
PharmacySmart does not publicly recommend particular compounded medicines or encourage patients to request a specific compounded treatment.
How PharmacySmart supports patients and prescribers
PharmacySmart Compounding is a 100% compounding pharmacy with three Melbourne locations in Balwyn North, East Melbourne and Pascoe Vale South.
When PharmacySmart receives a valid patient-specific prescription, its pharmacists:
- Review the prescription and relevant patient information
- Contact the prescriber if clarification is required
- Prepare the medicine according to the prescription
- Use a robust triple-checking process to support accuracy
- Provide relevant information about use and storage.
Patients are encouraged to ask questions if anything about an existing prescription or its directions is unclear.
PharmacySmart’s pharmacists can provide information about medicines they dispense and work with prescribers when clarification is required. They do not replace the prescriber’s clinical assessment or independently recommend prescription treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask my pharmacist questions about a medicine my doctor prescribed?
Yes. Pharmacists can provide information about medicines you have been prescribed, including directions for use, storage and possible side effects.
If your question requires reassessment of your treatment, your pharmacist may refer you back to your prescriber.
Should I stop taking a medicine if I think it is causing a side effect?
Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine without appropriate professional advice.
Speak with your doctor or pharmacist about what you are experiencing and what you should do next.
Seek urgent medical assistance if you think you are experiencing a serious reaction or medical emergency.
Should I tell my pharmacist about vitamins and supplements?
Yes.
Give your doctor and pharmacist an accurate list of prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, vitamins, herbal products, supplements and complementary medicines you use.
This helps them consider potential interactions and provide advice based on a more complete picture.
What if I become pregnant while taking a prescription medicine?
Do not automatically stop taking your medicine.
Contact your doctor, pharmacist or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional for individual advice. They can consider the particular medicine and your circumstances and advise you about the appropriate next step.
Can PharmacySmart recommend a specific compounded medicine for a women’s health concern?
No. PharmacySmart does not diagnose women’s health conditions or independently recommend prescription treatments.
Treatment decisions are made by an authorised prescriber. PharmacySmart prepares and dispenses patient-specific compounded medicines where there is an appropriate prescription and the relevant requirements for compounding are met.
Five questions worth remembering
The next time you receive a prescription, consider asking:
- What is this medicine for?
- How and when should I take it?
- What side effects should I know about?
- Could it interact with anything else I take?
- Is there anything I should discuss if I am pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding?
There is no need to feel embarrassed about asking for clarification.
Understanding your medicines is an important part of participating in your healthcare.
If you have questions about a medicine you already take, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
For general questions about an existing prescription or PharmacySmart Compounding’s services, contact the caring team on (03) 9857 3679.
General information only. This article is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a prescribed medicine without speaking with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Compounded medicines are prepared for individual patients in circumstances permitted under Australian law and prescription-only compounded medicines require an appropriate patient-specific prescription.
About PharmacySmart Compounding
PharmacySmart Compounding is a family-owned and operated compounding pharmacy based in Australia, established in 2001. With over two decades of experience, PharmacySmart provides personalised compounding services for patients, carers, GPs, specialists and veterinarians.
PharmacySmart operates across multiple Melbourne locations and is committed to quality, consistency, accuracy and patient-focused care.
Get in Touch
If you have questions about an existing prescription or would like to learn more about PharmacySmart’s compounding services, we’re happy to help.
Call 03 9857 3679, or visit PharmacySmart in-store or online.
References
Healthdirect Australia. Questions to ask before taking a medicine. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/questions-to-ask-before-taking-a-medicine
Healthdirect Australia. Side effects of medicines. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/side-effects-of-medicines
Healthdirect Australia. Medicines during pregnancy. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines-during-pregnancy
Healthdirect Australia. Over-the-counter medicines. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/over-the-counter-medicines
Therapeutic Goods Administration. Compounded medicines. https://www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/compounded-medicines
Therapeutic Goods Administration. Manufacturing, supplying and advertising compounded medicines lawfully. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/guidance/manufacturing-supplying-and-advertising-compounded-medicines-lawfully
