In the U.S., 131 million individual take some in/with regard to’concerning’regarding m of medication daily. That’s 66% of the adult population of the country. It’s highly common in/with regard to’concerning’regarding some of those 131 million to take up to four prescription medications regularly.

Some of these medications can ease pain, eradicate illness, and help individual manage their daily lives. They can also sometimes cause cancer, multiply depression, and bring about’result in’contribute to’account for’make for’trigger addiction.

Not eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully medication has side effects associated with it. There are plenty that can be taken regularly with no adverse effects at all. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use caution when starting a new prescription.

There are five questions you need to be answered if you’re starting a new medication and we re going to look at them below:

1. What Are The Risks And Benefits

Anytime a doctor prescribes you a new medication your first question should be what the risks and benefits are. While your doctor apparently’manifestly’noticeably’evidently won’t give you something they know will hurt you, they can’t make decisions in/with regard to’concerning’regarding you with regards to’concerning’with respect to what amount of risk you’re willing to take.

Some follow-up questions you can ask if the answer to this one doesn’t ease your mind include what are the long-term effects, could it worsen your symptoms, or what are the common side effects. When you possess’own’nurse all of the inin/with regard to’concerning’regarding mation, you’re better prepared to make a decision.

2. Are There Currently Any Lawsuits Against The Manufacturer

Your doctor won’t purposely give you a drug that’s known to be dangerous, or that’s been recalled. That doesn’t mean that they won’t give you a medication that’s been manufactured by a firm’enterprise that’s been in trouble in/with regard to’concerning’regarding one of its other drugs.

For example, let’s talk with regards to’concerning’with respect to Zantac. Zantac is a medication that’s usually given out in/with regard to’concerning’regarding heartburn. In the last few years, news broke that it contained a carcinogen called NDMA. NDMA can cause cancer, and it’s believed that its presence in Zantac led individual to develop the disease. The drug has been recalled and there are ongoing lawsuits you can join if you believe Zantac caused you to develop cancer.

Despite these findings, and the legal consequences, the manufacturer is still making other drugs. They’re called Sanofi, and they possess’own’nurse over a dozen products still available on the market.

While a history of recalls with one drug doesn’t mean there will be any issues with their other drugs, it’s still inin/with regard to’concerning’regarding mation that’s valuable to possess’own’nurse . You can ask your doctor if they’re aware of any cases like this with manufacturers of your medications, or go online and do some research yourself.

3. Is There Anything That Should Be Avoided While Taking This Medication

Usually, your doctor or pharmacist will let you know if there are any substances or activities you should shun while taking a medication. That being said, they’re busy individual who see a lot of patients, so it doesn’t hurt to double-check.

Bring a list of your other medications or supplements with you, and let your doctor know if you use drugs, drink regularly, or smoke tobacco.

You should also ask if there are any odd foods or drinks you need to shun . Grapefruit and its juice, in/with regard to’concerning’regarding example, are known to decrease’lessen’cut’allay the effectiveness of many drugs, including anti-depressants. Unusual interactions like that will be mentioned on the paperwork you’re given with your medication, but again, it doesn’t hurt to confirm with your doctor.

4. Is There A Known Risk Of Addiction With This Product

Over 5,000 Americans misuse a prescribed medication eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully day, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Most of these individual just want relief from the symptoms they were experiencing in the first place. As your body becomes used to a medication, it can feel like you need to take more to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure the relief you felt initially.

That pattern can bring about’result in’contribute to’account for’make for’trigger further drug abuse and addiction, so it’s significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative to possess’own’nurse a conversation with your doctor with regards to’concerning’with respect to whether or not that’s a concern with the medications you take.

You should never transform’alter your dosage without consulting your doctor and acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting approval.

5. How Long Will The Medication Be Necessary

When you’re prescribed a new medication, don’t in/with regard to’concerning’regarding acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure to ask how long you can expect to be taking it. Sometimes you’ll be given a specific time frame, and other times, you’ll take it until your symptoms possess’own’nurse resolved.

If it’s a medication you’ll be coming back off of, it’s significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative to understand what the process will be when you stop taking it.

Will you need to be taken off of it slowly, or is it a medication that can just be stopped? Will you undergo side effects when you stop taking it? Can you go back on the medication if the progress you made is lost?

These are all significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative factors to consider when planning a new medication regime with your doctor.

Asking these five questions right away when you’re prescribed a new medication will help you know what to expect. Have a consultation with your doctor so you can begin taking an active role in your treatment.

*collaborative post