Medicines are a part of every day life. As we get older the need for medicines often increases. Understanding your medical conditions and the medicines you take to manage these conditions is important. For parents, the responsibility is often two-fold – looking after your own health and that of your family as well. Being an active player in your health care team, understanding each person’s role, where to get help, what questions to ask, and the important role you play in that team will help you make more informed decisions about your health, your medicines and your lifestyle.

Some people may choose to visit more than one doctor. This means you and your family’s health records can be scattered, with limited coordination of treatment and sometimes no confirmation that a treatment was successful or that a medicine had an adverse effect. Having an established doctor–patient relationship is valuable, particularly if you have a complex problem or chronic health condition.

Your pharmacist can help you understand your medicines and how to get the best from them. He or she can advise you on the right medicines for minor health problems and can tell you when you should see your doctor if the condition doesn’t improve. Most importantly, your pharmacist is available to talk about managing your medicine as well as giving information and advice on keeping healthy. For example, pharmacists will work with you and your doctor to ensure you get the best from your medicines.

Communicating effectively with your Doctor or pharmacist is important if you are to make informed decisions about your health. It is your right to ask questions and to be given enough information so that you can take your medicines wisely. Never be afraid to ask. Getting the right information can be as simple as asking the right questions. You should ask whether there is some written information (for example, Consumer Medicine Information) that you can have. This will make it easier for you to remember what you need to know. If you don’t understand something, ask for it to be explained in simpler terms. If you need an interpreter, just ask.

Some questions you could ask about your medicine include:

• What food, drink, activity or storage might affect how well this medicine works?
• What can I do to reduce the chance of any side effects?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• Can you give me any information about this medicine?
• Using medicines is a problem for me because of my sight/swallowing/n strength/memory. How can you help me?
• Will this medicine interact with other medicines I use?
• What is the diagnosis? How long is it likely to last?
• What can I do to help myself get better?
• What is the name of the new medicine you have prescribed for me?
• What does the medicine do and how should I use it?
• How long should I use it?
• Are any side effects likely or should I expect to feel any different while taking this medicine?
• When should the medicine be reviewed or stopped?
• How and when is the best way to use this medicine?

What is medicine?
Medicine is defined as anything that has a proven therapeutic value. Medicines include prescription and non-prescription drugs from synthetic and biological sources. Herbal
products, vitamin and mineral supplements and homeopathic products are now known as ‘complementary medicines’.

Prescription Medicines
Prescription medicines are those that are prescribed by doctors. After assessing a person’s symptoms and signs the doctor decides which medicine is the most appropriate for treatment and will then write a prescription for that medicine.

Over-the-counter medicines
The first step many of us take when we feel sick is to go to a pharmacy or supermarket for some non-prescription medicine. Many problems will of course get better with time or a few simple remedies. Over-the-counter medicines can be very effective – they are cheap and easier to buy than prescription medicines. They are used widely to treat common colds, pain, sinusitis, allergies and minor eye and ear problems. Over-the-counter medicines have detailed labelling to help you make a choice about which medicine to use. However, as with all drugs, over-thecounter medicines should be used with caution. Although they may relieve your symptoms, they may not cure your problem. They may also react with other medicines you are taking. So talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you use and follow the instructions on the label.

Complementary medicines
Complementary medicines (also known as ‘traditional’ or ‘alternative’ medicines) include vitamin, mineral, herbal, aromatherapy and homoeopathic products. People use complementary medicines to prevent illnesses such as colds, to manage pain, relieve stress, relieve chronic conditions and for a range of other psychological and physical disorders. The use of complementary medicines in Australia and throughout the world is on the increase. It is currently estimated that over 60 per cent of Australians use complementary medicines at least once a year. The majority of complementary medicines are self-selected by consumers and used for self-treatment. Although they are generally viewed as ‘low risk’ products, some people may be sensitive to certain ingredients in them and should use reasonable care when taking them. Make sure you know what the medicine you are taking is intended for, follow all instructions (including dosage and warning statements) and seek appropriate, professional advice. Tell your doctor and pharmacist of any complementary medicines you are taking,=as they may interact with your other
medicines. If you believe that you are experiencing an adverse reaction to a complementary medicine, stop taking it, and report the problem to your health care professional.


Play it safe and ask
Sometimes you may experience an unexpected reaction to a medicine, such as dizziness or a rash. Make a note of your symptoms and talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about them.

Have your medicines checked
If you are taking a lot of medicines for extended periods of time, ask your doctor or
pharmacist to check them at least once a year. Tell them or show them everything you are taking, including any medicines prescribed by a specialist, non-prescription and complimentary medicines. Remember to include all medicines you have bought from pharmacies, supermarkets, health food stores or other sources. Your doctor can advise you about whether your medicine is still the best treatment for your condition, whether other treatments may be better (such as a different medicine or a change in lifestyle) or whether the dosage of your medicine should be adjusted. Your pharmacist can advise you about possible side effects and check if any of your medicines are out-of-date. Your pharmacist can also explain how and when to take your medicines and advise whether there is any risk of an unexpected reaction if certain medicines are taken together. Remember that while health professionals are there to help, you are responsible for your own health. A healthier lifestyle can often be the best medicine.

Hints for taking your medicines

• Take your medicines at the right time. Some medicines work best when taken on
  an empty stomach, while others should be taken with food. Ask your pharmacist.
• Follow the instructions. Make sure you know of any precautions you need to take,
  such as not drinking alcohol or not driving.
• Ask about possible side effects. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they
  are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get
  some side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you have.
• If the treatment doesn’t seem to be working, go back to your doctor. Don’t stop
  taking the medicine without speaking to a doctor. There could be a number of
  reasons why the medicine isn’t working.
• Be careful if taking other medicines. Always check with your doctor or
  pharmacist about how a new medicine will react with other medicines you are
  taking, regardless of whether they are prescribed by a doctor or bought over the
  counter from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
• Don’t take any medicines not prescribed for you, and don’t share your medicines
  with somebody else. Different medicines may affect different people in different
  ways, and may be ineffective or harmful if they are taken by a person they were
  not prescribed for.
• Don’t use out-of-date medicines. Medicines which have passed their use-by date
  may have no effect at all, and could in fact be harmful. Take out-of-date
  medicines to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
• Don’t always expect a prescription for antibiotics. Antibiotics only work against
  bacterial infections. The common cold and the flu are caused by viral infections,
  so antibiotics may not be necessary.
• If you are prescribed antibiotics, always finish the course. Even if you are feeling
  better, the infection may return and be more difficult to beat if you don’t
  finish the course.

©Department of Health and Aged Care

August 2001