Questions You HAVE to Ask Your Doctor: What You Want to Know Before Taking a Medicine

Every drug has side effects, so it’s important to ask a few questions before taking it. The side effects can be mild (nausea, headache) or life threatening. You want to know what the known side effects are of a drug so you can prepare for it, even if only to not be surprised. 

Use medicines wisely — for the shortest duration and at the lowest dosage that’s effective.

Clinical trials done prior to market release can identify many common, and even some not-so-common, side effects of drugs, but many more are discovered years after a drug makes it to market. Every individual responds differently to drugs, so the side effects you experience may be different from those seen in the trials or even those of your family and friends. When taking a medicine assume that any new symptom is a side effect of the medicine.  

It can be helpful to track any new symptoms or side effects in case they get worse and you need to get healthcare for them. MedShadow has a simple tracker available for free, here. 

It’s important to ask about your choices, too. The first drug your doctor prescribes is unlikely to be your only treatment option. For most health issues, there are a variety of drugs,  alternative therapies, exercise, diet, and more that can help.

Going to the doctor? Bring a list of the drugs, supplements, and vitamins you’re presently taking. Don’t just note your prescribed drugs. Some over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or Tylenol, or even supplements, like fish oil or Vitamin A, can interact with medications, so don’t leave those out.

Find out before you take a medicine what its benefits and risks are. A straightforward conversation with your doctor will give you the information you need to be confident about managing your own health.

The first drug your doctor prescribes is unlikely to be your only treatment option. Don’t be surprised if your doctor suggests a healthier diet or more exercise as the best choice to improve your health. For many health issues there are a variety of alternative therapies you could consider also, like light therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy — remember to ask about your choices. 

You might be surprised at how difficult it is to stop using a drug. PPIs for reflux and sleeping pills commonly have a “rebound effect.” Pain meds and psychological drugs can create a dependency very quickly, which triggers  withdrawal symptoms. 

For Any Drug, Ask Your Doctor These Questions 

1. Is this medicine my only option? 
2. What are my other options? Are there other medications or lifestyle changes I can make to avoid taking this drug?
3. How long should I expect to be on this drug?
4. What will happen if I decide not to take this drug? Do I have other options? 
5. Will this interact with any other drugs or supplements or vitamins I’m taking? Will alcohol, food, or street drugs, such as marijuana, exaggerate or interfere with the drug’s effects? 
6. When I’m ready to stop this drug, do I have to be weaned off? Should I expect a rebound effect? (Rebound effect is when the symptoms come back again, stronger than before, when you stop taking the medicine, then they slow or stop.) What is the tapering schedule?
7. What are the potential side effects, such as weight gain, low libido, and liver or kidney problems? Is there anything I can do to manage or prevent them?
8. What if I’m planning to get pregnant or have an unplanned pregnancy? What if I am breastfeeding?

For Antidepressants /Anti-Anxiety Medications Ask These Questions

These should only be prescribed by a psychiatrist and used in conjunction with talk therapy. A review of medical studies comparing antidepressant drug therapy with psychological therapy concluded: “Psychological treatments of depression are the preferred type of treatment for the majority of patients with depression, they are effective, have comparable effects as pharmacotherapy, and they are probably more effective at the longer term.”

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications include a broad range of drugs with differing side effects that may include: nausea, constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, heart problems, diarrhea, anxiety, among others. 

Stopping antidepressants or anti-anxieties should only be conducted under a doctor’s care. Some people experience flu-like symptoms reducing these meds, while others have disturbing mental thoughts and images when they stop taking antidepressants. 

1. How long should I expect to take this drug? 
2. When I’m ready to stop, do I have to wean myself off the drug? How long will that take? Do patients struggle with dependence?
3. What should I do if I start to feel negative changes in my mood, energy, or focus?
4. What are the side effects, such as weight gain, decrease in sex drive, liver or kidney problems? 
5. What if I’m planning to get pregnant or have an unplanned pregnancy? 
6. What are my other choices for lifestyle changes or complementary/alternative medicines?  

Some people may experience suicidal ideations while taking or reducing antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Do NOT wait for your next appointment to talk to your doctor in this case. Please call or text 988 immediately if you experience these negative thoughts.” 

For Sleep Aids Ask Your Doctor These Questions

Many of the drugs in this category cause drowsiness in the morning, difficulty waking up, and mental impairment. Common complaints include headache, dizziness, and nausea. There is often a rebound effect, meaning your insomnia can worsen, when you stop the medicine. Stopping the drug can be difficult and is often done incrementally; many people find it difficult to return to a normal sleep pattern after use. 

See also

Drug Interactions/Side Effects

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1. What is the lowest effective dose I can take of this drug?
2. How many nights in a row can I safely take this medication to avoid a rebound effect? Do I have to be weaned off it? 
3. The following day will I have to refrain from driving and will I be groggy?
4. Will it harm my liver or kidneys? 
5. What are my other choices for lifestyle changes or complementary/alternative medicines?  

For GERD/Indigestion/Acid Reflux Drugs Ask These Questions

Many of the drugs in this category block the absorption of vitamins and calcium. There is often a rebound effect, meaning the symptoms can be worse for a short period of time when you stop the medicine. 

1. Do I need to take vitamin supplements to offset the side effects of this medication? Will we need to monitor my vitamin levels with blood tests?
2. Can this drug lead to anemia? Bone density problems? 
3. Are there foods I should avoid while on the drug?
4. Can I become dependent on this medication? Will there be a rebound effect when I stop taking it?  
5. What are my other choices for lifestyle changes or complementary/alternative medicines?  

For ADHD Drugs Ask Your Doctor These Questions

Stimulants are commonly used to address ADHD. These drugs can trigger cardiovascular issues, loss of appetite, restlessness, and aggression. Studies indicate that stimulant use in adolescents, whose brains are still developing, might affect their prefrontal cortex and plasticity (ability to switch between functions). 

1. How long do I need to stay on this medicine?
2. What are the side effects of these drugs?
3. What if I’m planning to get pregnant or have an unplanned pregnancy? What if I am breastfeeding?
4. What are the short- and long-term side effects of this drug? Has there been any long-term studies on this drug? Was it tested on young people my age?
5. Can I just stop taking this drug immediately, or do I need to be weaned off of it?
6. What are my other choices for lifestyle changes or complementary/alternative medicines?  

People are often not fully informed about the short- and long-term effects of medicines. You can have frank and wide-ranging discussions on medical choices with your doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, and/or pharmacist. If drug therapy is decided upon, then short and long-term effects should be discussed along with effectiveness. You can also ask for follow up appointments to discuss effects you are noticing. 

The choice of using a drug and which drug to use should be made by balancing the effectiveness of the drug with your side effect tolerance, which can and should include your own quality of life. You have the right to participate in the decision.