When visiting the doctor, it’s natural to entrust them with our health, and view them as the experts.; However, it is always okay, and your right as a patient, to ask any questions you may have. Sometimes doctors prescribe medication we may not need, and this can certainly do more harm than good. According to West Virginia IVC filter lawyers at Mani, Ellis, & Layne, PLLC, when a doctor prescribes the wrong medicine or administers the wrong dosage, patients can suffer from long-term injury, disability, or even death.
For your own health and safety, before you fill a prescription or start taking a new medication, you should always ask your doctor the following questions:
Why Are You Prescribing This Medicine To Me?
Although it would be safe to assume that a doctor would explain his or her reason for prescribing a certain medication, this isn’t always the case. More often than not, patients are given a prescription with brief and vague instructions and are told to go straight to the pharmacy and have the prescription filled. When you ask this basic, yet important, question you should leave the office without any additional questions. Don’t leave until you understand why your doctor thinks you should take the prescribed drug.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Along with thoroughly describing the prescription, your doctor should inform you of any possible side effects. Prescription drugs affect each individual differently and some side effects can be worse than the medical issue itself. It’s also important to ask if there are food, drink, and other medicines to avoid (including herbal supplements) while taking the medication.
How Long Will It Take For The Medication To Work?
If you’re trying to keep a close watch on your symptoms and any changes, it’s important to know how long before the medication takes effect. While some medicines seem to kick in right away, others may take days or a few weeks. Additionally, it may not be a bad idea to ask your doctor for a free sample of the medication or a shorter prescription (14 days or less). It’s better to find out the prescription is working rather than spending money on something that isn’t working for you.
Is There An Alternative?
Many doctors may be hesitant to give you an “alternative” to a prescription medication, but it never hurts to ask. Talk about lifestyle changes such as food or diet, you may be surprised that this may be all you need. You could also talk with your doctor about making a prescription and try other alternatives first.
Will My Insurance Cover This Prescription?
Prescriptions can be extremely expensive and insurance may not always cover the cost of your prescription. If your insurance doesn’t cover the full cost of your new prescription, ask your doctor if there is a cheaper, generic alternative or if there is a manufacturer’s discount available.
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