Questions To Ask Before Taking Medicine

1. What are the brand name and generic name of this medicine?
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2. Can I take a generic version of this medicine?
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3. What am I taking this medicine for?
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4. Does this new prescription mean I should stop taking any other medicines I'm taking now?
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5. How do I take the medicine and how often do I take it? If I need to take it three times a day, does that mean to take it at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or to take it every 8 hours?
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6. Do I need to take it all, or should I stop when I feel better?
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7. How long will I be taking it? Can I get a refill? How often can I get a refill?
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8. Are there any tests I need to take while I'm on this medicine?
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9. When should I expect the medicine to start working? How can I tell if it's working?
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10. When should I tell the doctor about a problem or side effect?
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11. Are there foods, drinks (including alcoholic beverages), other medicines, or activities to avoid while I'm taking this medicine?
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12. What are the side effects that can happen with this medicine?
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13. What should I do if I have a side effect?
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14. What happens if I miss a dose?
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15. What printed information can you give me about this medicine?
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