What should you ask your pharmacist about a new medicine?
A few questions when you collect a new medicine help you take it correctly from day one and avoid mistakes at home.
In short
- When you are given a new medicine, ask what it is for, how and when to take it, for how long and what to do if you miss a dose.
- Tell the pharmacist everything you take, including non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products, so they can check for interactions.
- Ask which side effects are expected, which ones mean you should seek advice and how to store the medicine.
- Lack of information is the main cause of errors when taking medication at home, according to the Spanish Ministry of Health.
When you collect a new medicine, the most useful thing is to ask the pharmacist five things: what it is for, how and when to take it, for how long, what to do if you miss a dose and whether it fits with everything else you take. Two minutes that save you doubts and mistakes at home.
Here is a practical list of questions, based on the ‘5 Moments for Medication Safety’ tool that the Spanish Ministry of Health adapted from the World Health Organization.
| What will you find in this article? |
Why is it worth asking questions when you collect a new medicine?
Because most medication errors at home happen because the person did not have the information they needed. The Spanish Ministry of Health's 5 Moments guide (2022) reports that administration errors at home range from 19 to 59%, that they cause harm in up to 26% of cases and that their main cause is a lack of information about how to use the medicines.
That is exactly what your pharmacist is there for. The dispensing service, as defined by Spain's Pharmaceutical Care Forum, aims to make sure you receive and use your medicines according to your clinical needs, at the right dose, for the right length of time and with the information you need. Asking is not a nuisance: it is part of the service.
Which basic questions should you ask?
The essential questions are the ones that let you take the medicine correctly from day one without having to ask again. You can keep them noted on your phone.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is the active ingredient and what is it for? | Avoids confusion between brand names and duplicates |
| When, how and at what dose should I take it? | Some tablets must not be split or crushed |
| On an empty stomach or with food? | It can change how it is absorbed or how well you tolerate it |
| For how long? Is it for life? | Some treatments must not stop when the box runs out |
| What do I do if I miss a dose? | The answer varies from one medicine to another |
| How should I store it? | Some need to be kept cold or protected from humidity |
If the explanation is quick, ask them to point out where each piece of information is in the leaflet. There is a guide in how to read the package leaflet without getting lost.
How do you know whether it fits with the rest of your medication?
Tell the pharmacist everything you take, including what you buy without a prescription, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. MedlinePlus recommends always asking whether a new medicine may interact with the ones you already take, supplements included.
- Interactions: ask whether it affects or interferes with the rest of your treatment.
- Duplicates: check it is not the same active ingredient you already take under another name. If your brand has been changed, read why your tablet has been swapped for one with a different name.
- Allergies and other conditions: mention them even if you think they are in your records.
- Timing: ask how to fit the new dose in with the ones you already have.
- Driving and alcohol: if you drive every day or drink alcohol now and then, say so.
What should you watch for in the first few weeks?
Ask which side effects are expected, which usually pass on their own and which are a reason to seek advice. That way you can tell a passing discomfort from a warning sign, and you will not stop the treatment on your own at the first symptom.
- Note down any change you notice and when it started.
- Do not stop the medicine without advice, unless you have been told to do so if a specific symptom appears.
- If you suspect a side effect, mention it to your doctor or pharmacist. Anyone can also report it to the AEMPS, the Spanish medicines agency, using the NotificaRAM form.
There is more detail in how to tell whether a new medicine disagrees with you.
A practical example: Rosa starts a new treatment
Take the case of Rosa, 61, a teacher, who takes a tablet for her blood pressure and has just received a new prescription for cholesterol. Before going to the pharmacy she notes her questions on her phone.
The pharmacist explains what it is for, what time of day it is best taken and that it is a long-term treatment, not a single box. When Rosa mentions that she takes a herbal supplement on her own, he checks whether it is compatible and recommends she also mentions it to her doctor. Rosa adds the medicine to her medication list and leaves with everything clear.
How can IMA Health help you?
With IMA Health, the specialised pharmacy that prepares your medication by day and time includes the changes when your doctor adds a new medicine, and the pharmacist is available to answer your questions about dosing or changes to your treatment.
We also take care of coordination with the pharmacy, home delivery and follow-up. You can see how it works in the IMA Health service.
Sources
- Spanish Ministry of Health: 5 Moments for Medication Safety. Guide for health professionals (2022)
- Spanish General Council of Pharmacists: Dispensing service for medicines and medical devices
- MedlinePlus: Taking multiple medicines safely (Spanish version)
- AEMPS: NotificaRAM user guide (2025)
This article is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist.