5 Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist at Your Next Visit

Medically Reviewed by Amy Marchus, Pharm D, BSN, Director of Pharmacy Retail Services

5 Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist at Your Next Visit

When you think about health care, doctors and nurses may come to mind. But there’s another health care professional who plays an important role in helping you manage your health: your pharmacist.

Pharmacists work closely with other members of your care team to help you understand the medications you need. In addition to offering insight into why you need the medicines you take, pharmacists can explain how to take them and inform you about side effects, possible interactions, and whether prescription medicines are safe to take with over-the-counter products.

How a Pharmacist Benefits Your Health

Pharmacists are experts in pharmacology, the scientific study of medications and their effects on the body. Most pharmacists have a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree. A PharmD shows that they have received advanced education through a pharmacy program recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. These programs require students to spend years learning about science, health, pharmacology, and pharmacy law.

In some cases, pharmacists also complete a residency or fellowship in hospitals or clinics, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in certain specialties, such as cardiology or pediatrics.

Pharmacists’ educational background prepares them to collaborate with doctors and other medical providers to help care for acute and chronic conditions. Just as physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners are experts in diagnosing and treating medical conditions, pharmacists are experts in how medications help treat those conditions. Pharmacists can also help you understand the appropriate dosages, potential interactions, and side effects of medications.

Questions to Ask a Pharmacist About a New Prescription

Whenever your health care provider gives you a new medication, they’ll explain what condition it can help treat and why you need it. Still, a pharmacist can offer additional context to help ensure you have a good understanding of the medication and how it can affect your health—before you take your first dose.

“Pharmacists can share a wealth of information with you about medications and your health,” said Amy Marchus, PharmD, BSN, Director of Pharmacy Retail Services at Essentia Health. “Whether you have a question about a new dosage or how to safely store your meds, we want you to consider your pharmacist a go-to resource.”

The next time you receive a new prescription, plan to spend some time with your pharmacist asking these key questions.

Q: What Is This Medication For?

Although you likely talked with your provider about why you need the medication, it’s worth double-checking the information with the pharmacist. Your pharmacist can help you understand exactly how the medication works.

A conversation with your pharmacist about what the medication treats also helps limit medication errors—lowering the risk that you’ve been prescribed the wrong medication by accident.

Q: How Do I Take This Medication?

Your pharmacist can answer logistical questions, like how to take a medication, that you may not have been able to ask your doctor. Your pharmacist can also explain –

• When to take the medication (morning, evening, after meals, etc.)
• Whether you should take it on a regular basis or only as needed
• Whether you should take it with or without food
• Whether you should avoid taking it with certain foods or other medications
• How long to take the medication
• What to do if you miss a dose

Pharmacists are experts in all forms of medications, including those that are not in pill or liquid form. If you need an inhaler, for example, your pharmacist can show you how to prep the inhaler, how to place your lips around the mouthpiece, and how to breathe in the medication. With creams, they can explain whether you should take any precautions, such as wearing gloves, when you apply them.

Q: What Are the Side Effects of This Medication?

All medications carry a risk of side effects, even those that have undergone thorough research for safety and been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Your pharmacist can discuss potential side effects for a new medication and guide you on what to do if they occur. For example, your pharmacist can tell you if it’s safe to stop taking the medication or advise you to call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if you develop serious or unpleasant side effects.

Q: How Long Will It Take the Medication to Work?

Some medications, such as antibiotics, begin working quickly, often taking effect within a few hours of your first dose. However, other medications, such as antidepressants, may take several weeks to cause noticeable changes or benefits.

Knowing about how long it takes a medication to work helps ensure you benefit. If a medication doesn’t appear to be working and you stop taking it, it may not work as intended.

Q: Will This Medication Interact With Other Medicines?

When you receive a new prescription, the pharmacist will review your medication record to see if the new drug might interact with other prescription medications. If you aren’t a regular patient at that pharmacy, you can share a comprehensive list of your current medications, so the pharmacist can perform a similar review.

However, some over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take won’t be in your medication record. Always ask your pharmacist if your new medication will interact with those products. Certain foods, like grapefruit, can also interact with some medications, so it’s also important to ask your pharmacist about potential food interactions.

Key Takeaways

Pharmacists play an essential role in helping you safely manage medications. Before taking the first dose of any new medication, be sure you have a good understanding of why you need it. Ask your pharmacist questions about –

• What the medication is for
• How to take it correctly
• What (if any) side effects you might experience
• How long it will take to be effective
• Potential interactions with other medicines, foods, or drinks

The more you know about a new medication, the better able you are to prevent medication errors and maximize its benefits.

At Essentia Health, we’re committed to making managing your medications easier. Explore our pharmacy services.