In a perfect world, we would all enjoy good health throughout our entire lives. But the fact is, most of us will encounter health issues at some point. Illnesses and conditions may not be pleasant, but often their symptoms can be minimized or even eliminated through proper medication.
Typically, doctors do an excellent job prescribing medication that will safely help cure what ails us. But as patients, there are things we can do to better ensure we get the medicines we need.
One of the most important elements of any doctor-patient relationship is communication. And when a doctor prescribes a new medication, there is some very important information he or she should provide. This information includes the following:
- What the drug is intended to do and the length of time it will take before you start getting results.
- The medication’s possible side effects and how to respond if they occur.
- The proper dosage.
- If there are possible issues with the new medication and any other medications you are already using.
- The medication’s generic or brand name.
- If there are any activities you should avoid while using the new medication.
These are some of the things your doctor should tell you about when putting you on a new medication. And if you are uncertain about any aspect of the new medication, do not hesitate to ask questions.
Your doctor should never prescribe medication without being sure that it will not cause an adverse reaction. But many prescription drugs are extremely powerful and, if improperly prescribed, could actually worsen rather than improve or stabilize a patient’s condition.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been harmed due to a medication error, a Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney may be able to help you get compensation for the injuries.