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Be An
Active Member Of Your Health Care Team
(NAPS)-To make the best choices and to use
medicines more effectively and safely, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, (FDA), is encouraging consumers to become more
involved in their health care.
When it comes to using medicines, there is no
such thing as completely safe. All medicines have risks. FDA
approval of a drug simply means that the beneĀfits outweigh the
known risks.
Physicians, physician assistants, nurses,
pharmacists and you make up your health care team. To reduce the
risks related to using medicines and to get the maximum benefit, you
need to play an active role on the team.
Consumers can become more active in the following
ways:
-
Speak Up! The more information your health
care team members know about you, the better. Discuss the
following with your health care providers:
-
Your medical history
-
Allergies and sensitivities
-
Prescription medicines and over-the-counter
medicines you take routinely and occasionally
-
Dietary supplements, including vitamins and
herbals
- Ask Questions! Your health care team can help you make the
best-informed choices but you have to ask the right questions. FDA
and others have a list of questions to help guide you. Have your
questions written down and take notes on the answers.
-
Learn The Facts! Learn and understand as much
as you can about your medicine. Ask for written material from your
providers and look at information from other reputable sources.
-
Follow Directions! When you are ready to use
the medicine, get the best results and reduce the side effects by
following the instructions given to you by your prescriber and
printed on the label.
-
Report Back To The Team! Pay attention to how
you feel, and notify your health care team of any problems.
The FDA has more information on how to be an
active member of your health care team. Go to www.fda.gov/cder or
call 1 (888) INFO-FDA.
Consumer Education: Ensuring
Safe Use of Medicines
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Date created: August 26, 2004; Updated August 17, 2005 |