Start with your own circumstances

Ask your pharmacist about the active ingredient, approved product, dose and device. A familiar ingredient does not replace product-specific instructions.

Get specific about the product

Keep the name, strength and instructions for your exact medicine available. Products can differ in how they are supplied and used, even when their names sound similar. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist to explain anything that is unclear, including what to do if your routine changes. Avoid borrowing someone else’s medication or following a dose schedule found on social media.

Make a short list before your next review

Note when you started treatment, what you have noticed and any questions you want answered. Include non-prescription medicines, supplements and relevant changes in your health. A concise record can make it easier to explain your experience. Your clinician can then consider your treatment alongside the rest of your care and decide whether anything needs to change.

Bring your questions to your care team

Use this guide to prepare for a conversation with a qualified healthcare professional. Share your current medicines and any relevant health changes. For urgent or severe symptoms, seek timely medical care rather than waiting for an online response. If you are preparing for an appointment, take the questions that feel most relevant to you. Ask which next step is appropriate, when to review progress and how to get help if your circumstances change.

References & further reading

These resources provide background information. Product indications and instructions vary by country and by medicine; check the Canadian product monograph with your clinician or pharmacist.