Five Moments for Medication Safety

• What is the name of the medication, and what is it for?
• What are the risks and possible side-effects?
• Are there alternatives?
• Will it affect my allergies and other health conditions?
• How should I store this medication?

Before taking a medicinal product, it is essential to check that it is necessary and appropriate. The product leaflet inside the box provides information about the medicinal product, its indication, its mode of action and how to use it correctly. The product leaflet always contains a list of possible side-effects. If you have any questions on this subject, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

The fact that a medicine is available over the counter does not mean there are no risks associated with it. It is always recommended that you also discuss these medicines with your doctor or pharmacist, to make sure they are suitable for your needs.

Self-medication can be risky, even for medicinal products available without a prescription:

• delayed diagnosis;
• risk of using unsuitable medication (e.g. potential allergy to certain medicines, interactions between medicines);
• risk of adverse effects, etc.

• When should I take this medication and how much should I take?
• How should I take the medication?
• Is there anything that I shouldn't eat or drink know while taking this medication?
• What should I do if forget to take my medication?
• What should I do if I experience side-effects?

Your medication should be taken at the dose, frequency and times prescribed by your doctor. All of the information you need about how your medication should be taken can be found in the product leaflet. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you experience adverse effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice on how best to continue your treatment. Please report any adverse effects, or ask your doctor or pharmacist to do so for you, as described here.

• Do I really need any other medication?
• Have I told my doctor about the other medications I am taking?
• Can this medication interact with my other medications?
• What should I do if I suspect an interaction?
• Will I be able to manage taking all of these medications at the same time?

If you need to start taking other medication, it is important to tell your doctor what medication you are already taking. Indeed, some medications can interact with others, and this could reduce the efficacy of your treatment, or cause side-effects.

• Should I keep a list of all my medications?
• How long should I take each medication for?
• Am I taking any medications that I no longer need?
• Has a healthcare professional checked the medications I am taking recently?
• How often should my medications be reviewed?

It is recommended that you periodically review the medications you are taking. Indeed, certain medications may no longer be necessary. We recommend keeping an up-to-date list of the medications you are taking, so that you know exactly what medications you are taking.

• When should I stop each medication?
• Do any of my medications need to be stopped progressively?
• What should I do if I run out of my medication?
• What should I do if I decide to stop taking my medication because it is causing side effects?
• What should I do with medications I no longer need?

Do not stop taking a medication that you have been prescribed without first discussing it with your doctor or pharmacist. Indeed, stopping your medication without being told to do so can be dangerous for your health.

If you experience adverse effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice on how best to continue your treatment. Please report any adverse effects, or ask your doctor or pharmacist to do so for you, as described here.

Unused or expired medicinal products must not be thrown in the bin.

You can take these medicinal products to:

• a pharmacy;
• the Superdreckskëscht.