| |
Call the Doctor if You Have: |
| |
- Trouble breathing
- Worsening cough
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- No success with your medications
|
|
|
General Medication Safety Tips
When you are prescribed new medicines, ask for written information and make sure you understand the following things:
- What is the medicine for?
- Is a generic (not a name brand) form of this medicine available? Does my doctor approve of my taking the generic, or does she/he want me to take the name brand?
- If I am allergic to certain medicines or food, would I also be allergic to this?
- How should I take it and for how long?
- What should I do if I forget a dose?
- What side effects can this medicine cause?
- Is this medicine safe to take with the other medicines and supplements that I am presently taking?
- Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid while taking this medicine?
- Is it safe for me to be in the sun while I am taking this medicine?
- If I am pregnant or am thinking of becoming pregnant, can I take this medicine?
- If I am breastfeeding, can I take this medicine?
- Can I drink alcohol while taking this medicine?
- What other safety measures should I follow while using this medicine?
- Can I drive or operate machinery while taking it?
- What storage conditions are required for this medicine? Does it need to be refrigerated?
- Do I need to take it at any particular time related to brushing my teeth?
- How soon after using the medicine can I eat?
- For medicines in pill form, do I need to take with or without food?
- If the medicine is for a child, what is the best way for me to measure the dosage?
More on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (Lung) Diseases Rx Questions? Ask Your Pharmacist
Knowledge Is the Best Medicine
In the Encyclopedia: Cough
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
|
|
|
