Knowledge Is The Best Pill

Knowledge they say is power. This applies also to your knowledge of drugs and related issues.
I remember asking an asthmatic friend the drugs she was placed on and her reply was shocking. She didn't know the names of the drugs she was taking and that didn't bother her because according to her “the names are too long”.

The importance of having the knowledge of your drugs cannot be overemphasized.
Some drugs when taken together can have serious and fatal drug interactions, this makes it extremely necessary to tell your healthcare provider about all the drugs you are taking before a new prescription is made. You can’t transmit this information without knowing the drugs first.

Telling your healthcare provider about the drugs also helps him to avoid repeating the prescription. In cases where the names of the drugs are too long and confusing, you can write them down in a record book to improve your memory.

Ethically, every drug dispensed to a patient is supposed to be labelled accurately with the generic name and strength but what can you do if the drug you are given isn't labelled? You simply ask!
Yeah, that’s right. You have the right to ask for information on the drugs you are taking. The problem is that a lot of patients are afraid of their health care providers. You can demand to know the name of the drug you are taking and it’s action in the body.

How well did you understand the instructions given to you on how the drugs should be taken?
Drug instructions can be seen as a map which leads to your desired destination. It’s better to ask for clarification on the instructions if you missed anything than to assume and fill in the blank spaces. Having adequate knowledge of the drugs, actions of the drugs and instructions is the very first step towards achieving the desired cure and resolution of symptoms.