Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

DH brought this topic up the other day when I had gotten two new prescriptions back from the local CVS. I always read through that paper attached to the prescription so that I know what side effects a medication has before I start taking it.

I was just wondering how many others do this? Or just because it's for a specific purpose you take it regardless of what that paper says?

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

I never do.

But the only reason I don't is because my mom is a pharmacy technician and I get all my scripts through her. She reads up on all that for me and is the one who tells me "make sure you do this" or "make sure you don't take that" when I get my scripts filled.

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

Sometimes. My mom is a medical transcriptionist and can pronounce whatever I'm prescribed faster than I can get the first syllable out, so she's pretty well-versed in most meds.

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

I always do, but then again I always read the manuals with new products I buy too. The car manual was the worst!!

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

I always do.

I can understand not reading it if that's the only med your on; I don't think its a good idea but I can understand.

If you're on other meds, it's even more important to read it. Dr's may not always remember what you're on or be aware of possible side effects. I think sometimes the pharmacist does a better job of being aware of these things.

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

Not for myself, but for my children, yes all the time.

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

I never do..

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

always. then I go on on drugs.com or rxlist.com and read all the lovely reviews and side effects so I know what I may be in for.

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

I almost always do

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

I do. I think it is important to be aware.

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

I do, because it also tells you what is suppose to look like, so i know the person filling it didn't make a mistake and if its the right medicine for what i need.

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

Always!

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

Definitely not. I am a firm believer in the power of suggestion, and I'm sure that I would develop half of the symptoms listed simply because I read them. If anything starts to feel different in my body after I start a new medication, then I might look up if that particular symptom is a side effect.

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

I always check to see if I got the right meds - the color, etc. that is described on the bottle and the paperwork. Two times I got the wrong rx at the pharmacy - they gave me my DH's stuff under my name.

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

Always..Im a worry wart by nature

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

After having a crazy reaction to Compazine when I was in HS that landed me in the hospital with lockjaw and temporary partial paralysis, yes I always do!

Re: Reading Medication Side Effects- Do You Do This??

I do now! DH had a reaction for cholesterol meds he was on. This went on for about a year before I caught it. He was having muscle pain in his arms & it had gotten to the point where he couldn't lift his arms. Which is a severe but rare reaction & can cause permanent muscle damage. He went to his Dr at least 2 times who didn't catch it & told him it was arthritis. Well about a 2 weeks after he stopped taking it his arms where feeling a lot better but he will never be 100%.