Understanding your medicine
Understanding your medical condition and the role your medicine plays in your treatment will help you to get the most benefit from your prescription.

You should make sure you fully understand your condition, and why and how to take your medicine. This will ensure your medicine works properly and will reduce the possibility of side-effects.

Medicines often come with a leaflet of instructions on how to take or use them and a list of what they contain. You should always read the label on the container or instruction leaflet before you start any course of treatment. Ask for a leaflet if you do not appear to have one. 

It is important that you only take the recommended dose and know how long to take your medicine. If you are unclear on the details ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain this to you.

It is very important to remember that your medicine is prescribed for you - and you alone - and you should never share it or give it to someone else who says they have the same symptoms; this can be very dangerous, as your medicine may not be suitable for them. 

Make sure you don't take a double dose by mistake, particularly when you top up your supplies as “repeats” or “refills” for longer-term treatments.  

Remember that medicines are known by two names, the 'chemical' name (e.g. lisinopril) and the trade name (e.g. Zestril). Also some medicines, particularly older ones, may be available from different manufacturers and the tablets from each manufacturer may look different.  In some countries e.g. in European countries, medicines from another country can be provided by pharmacists.   So sometimes different packs of medicines can look different but actually contain the same active ingredient.   If you are in any doubt, ask your pharmacist.

The approved uses of medicine vary between countries. Information is available for US, UK and a number of other countries. Please check here for local information