Specialty Area: Pharmacy
Description of Specialty: This specialty deals with preparing, compounding and
dispensing medicines.
1. Diagnosis: Education about medications
Questions that should be asked:
- Where could I get something that describes my medication and its side reactions?
- What important information is on the label of my medication?
- Should I take all my medication with me when I go see the doctor?
- Is continuity of filling my prescription at the same place important?
- Will my pharmacist answer all my questions?
2. Diagnosis: Taking Medications
Questions that should be asked:
- Is there a reason to take some medication with food and some on an empty stomach?
- What do I do if I miss a dose of medication?
- Are alcoholic beverages compatible with my medication?
- What are the major side reactions of my medication?
- Should I take more than eight glass of water a day?
- Is there a reason why I shouldn't take antacids, iron products, milk or grapefruit juice
with my medication?
- May I take vitamins with my medications?
- If I am sensitive to sunlight, will any of my medications cause a problem?
3. Diagnosis: Pain Medication
Questions that should be asked:
- What do I do if medication cause nausea and/or vomiting?
- If the pain medication causes me problems, is there something I can do to relieve the
symptoms and continue the medication.
- Is timing and dosage of medication important?
- Will effects of medicine to relieve pain loss their effectiveness?
- If pain is not relieved with dosage advised, who should I call or what should I do?
4. Diagnosis: Adverse Reactions
Questions that should be asked:
- Can adverse reactions happen to everyone?
- Do the number of medications increase the risk for adverse reactions?
- Is the expiration date important to pay attention to?
- Is the use of herbal remedies potentially dangerous with the use of regular prescribed
medications?
- What are the signs of adverse reaction to my medicine(s)?
- Is it safe to use the prescribed medicine of a friend or relative?
- What can my doctor do to treat an adverse drug reaction?
5. Diagnosis: Drugs
Questions that should be asked:
- What does the term "generic" mean?
- Is generic available on all medications?
- Are there interactions with drugs, foods and other supplements?
- Is timing for food intake or time of day important?
- What is the purpose of this medication?
- Are there articles, books or information on the computer about these medications?
- May I take alcohol while taking these drugs?
- Is grapefruit juice risky to use with any of my medications?
6. Diagnosis: Herbs
Questions that should be asked:
- Where can I find out what herbs interact with my medicines?
- Is alcohol risky with the use of the herbs I'm taking?
- Are herbal products safe because they are natural?
- Are there medical problems that make it dangerous to take herbal products?
- What are the possible interfere with prescription medicine?
Alvin Lerner, RPH Registered Pharmacist St. Louis, MO