Determine If a New Medication is Right for You

If you have recently been prescribed a drug and do not know anything about it, you should research it before you start taking it. Some drugs have side-effects that are not appealing.

It is all too common for your doctor to simply write you a new prescription, you get it filled and begin taking it. A lot of people believe that they should not ask their doctor detailed questions. They think "he is a doctor". Some patients do not question their physician, even when they have unanswered questions.

Once your doctor prescribes a prescription for you, ask questions. Be informed. Know that doctors can, and sometimes do, make mistakes.

Before you get your new prescription filled, check it out online. Go to reputable drug sites. Go to the website of the company that manufactures the drug. There they will outline the benefits, risks and possible complications. You need to know exactly what condition you have been prescribed this medication for.

Doctors sometime prescribe medications for other reasons than they were initially created for. For example, Rogaine was first prescribed for open heart surgery patients. They later found that Rogaine helped to grow hair. Rogaine is now primarily prescribed for patients that are uncomfortable with loosing their hair. Wellbutrin is another drug that is used for many things. Initially Wellbutrin was given to treat depression. It has since been shown to aid people what want to quit smoking.

Know the risks associated with taking any new drugs. Make sure if you are seeing more than one doctor, each doctor knows all the drugs that you are taking. Some drugs can interact and have dire consequences.

Talk to your doctor and determine if this is something that you will need for the rest of your life, i.e. blood pressure medicine or something that he wants you to take temporarily, such as drugs to control cholesterol (which he may take you off once your cholesterol returns to a normal range).

Check and see if people who quit taking the medication discuss having withdrawal symptoms. Some people experience withdrawal effects when they quit taking a prescription. If you know possible withdraw effects, you might decide that this drug is not one that you want to take. Your doctor might be able to prescribe you an alternative medication.

Perform a google search on the new drug. Find some message boards geared to people with the same condition or taking the same medication. See what they are saying. But be aware that just because it is written online it does not mean that it is the norm.

Be alert. Be your best advocate. If you have question, ask before you begin taking your medication. The best thing that you can do before taking a prescribed medication is to be informed.