It’s likely you’ve heard the phrase “health is wealth” at least once in your lifetime. As you may know, your quality of life has a direct correlation with how well you take care of yourself. Even if you have an underlying health condition, you can still live a long and prosperous life.
If you’re on medication, you’ve likely had your fair share of pharmacy visits. While some customers get lucky, all pharmacies aren’t created equal. Whether you’ve gone multiple times or you’re new to picking up prescriptions, here are some questions to ask your pharmacist.
What Does Your Medication Do?
Every prescription has a purpose within your body. However, it isn’t always clear what the intended purposes are. Lucky for you, your pharmacist can tell you exactly what it does as well as any potential side effects. Best of all, they keep a medical record, so you can cross-reference how it’ll interact with other medications you take. It’s especially important to be mindful of any health conditions you have that may be affected by the medication that you take.
Can I Still Take Vitamins and Supplements?
Maybe you don’t take medications but take a daily multivitamins or supplements. While they may be naturally sourced, there’s a slight chance that you can counteract the purpose of your prescription. Therefore, ask your pharmacist whether it’s safe to continue taking them. Otherwise, they can give you an alternative so you still meet your dietary needs while on medication.
Can You Perform Medical Tests?
Pharmacists are qualified to conduct basic medical testing in order to establish which type of treatment may be best for you or to check if you may have certain conditions. For example, a pharmacist can carry out a blood sugar test, which will help to establish if you have diabetes, a blood pressure test, which will allow them to assess the health of your cardiovascular system and cholesterol test to check its levels within your body. Once the pharmacist has performed a test, they will either recommend a treatment or will refer you to your GP for further testing and treatment.
What Are Your Hours?
People can become unwell at any time of the day. That is why some pharmacists have a 24-hour dispensing service. If you or a loved one becomes unwell, a 24-hour pharmacist will be able to give your advice during the middle of the night or in the very early morning, before dispensing the medications you need. If you would like to find out more about the many services offered by your local pharmacy, you should contact the facility today.
Is There a More Affordable Option?
Sometimes, a prescription that can improve your day-to-day is too expensive for your budget. This can be especially problematic if you regularly require more than one medication.
When you get your prescription from your physician, you can speak to your pharmacist about potentially finding a more affordable option to keep your symptoms at bay. Typically, there’s a generic version of your medication that pharmacists can fill for you. Sometimes, you can even have a three-month supply of these generic medications delivered to your home to save even more money.
When it comes to your prescription medications, pharmacies play a key role in making sure you achieve total wellness. Sometimes, you may find you’re too embarrassed to ask your healthcare provider questions about your prescriptions, and that’s okay.
By asking the right questions, you can help your pharmacist assist you in achieving better health with fewer risks. In case of an emergency, always reach out to your primary caregiver for medical advice.
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