At a glance

• Bring an up-to-date medicine list or the medicines themselves if requested.
• Include the dose, timing and reason you take each medicine.
• Write down side effects, missed doses and practical difficulties.
• Do not change or stop treatment before discussing it with your clinician.

What to bring

• All prescription and non-prescription medicines, supplements and herbal products.
• Inhalers, injections, patches, creams, eye drops and ear drops.
• Dose-administration packs and devices if their use needs review.
• Hospital discharge information and changes made by specialists.
• A list of allergies, adverse reactions and questions.

Questions to discuss

• What is each medicine for and is it still needed?
• Could symptoms be a side effect or interaction?
• Are monitoring tests or follow-up required?
• Can timing, packaging or the regimen be made easier?
• Who should you contact before making a future change?

When to book a GP review

• You suspect a medicine is causing a new or worsening symptom.
• Instructions from different clinicians appear inconsistent.
• You have difficulty taking medicines safely or as intended.
• You have recently left hospital and are unsure what changed.

Keep the list current

• Update your medicine list after every agreed change.
• Share the current list with clinicians, pharmacists and carers involved in your care.
• Dispose of unwanted or expired medicines through a participating pharmacy rather than household rubbish or drains.

Emergency advice

Call 000 for severe breathing difficulty, swelling of the face or throat, collapse, severe confusion, a seizure, or another severe or rapidly worsening reaction. For suspected poisoning or overdose, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26; call 000 if the person is unconscious or not breathing normally.

Rochedale Family Practice is not an emergency service.