You wake up in extreme pain. In fact, your throat feels like it has grown sharp razor blades. It doesn’t just hurt; it throbs.
A call to your doctor’s office reveals a two-week wait for an appointment. That’s simply not an option. As a result, you choose to visit a local urgent care clinic.
In what seems like an instant, you’ve got a new prescription in hand. But to be honest, the doctor was in such a hurry that he scribbled out your meds without telling you anything about what the heck it is.
Yikes!
According to the Mayo Clinic, almost seven out of 10 Americans take some kind of prescription drug. That’s seventy percent of Americans. And 20 percent of Americans are taking five or more different medications.
With these medications come risks. This means you need to be prepared ahead of time when it comes to knowing which questions to ask, even if you visit a quick-care clinic. After all, it’s your health and safety we’re talking about.
Here are eight questions you should ask before taking any new medication. (And remember that it’s a doctor’s job to take the time to talk to you. So don’t let fear stop you from speaking up. Taking action just might save your life.)