Drug Information Q&A Q19. What precautions should I take when receiving drugs for the first time or from multiple hospitals?
Answer
At the time of initial consultation, please inform the doctor of the following four items. When you visit multiple hospitals, bring your medication book that lists the medicines you are currently taking and show it to your doctor, as you may develop unexpected side effects or symptoms due to taking the same medicine at different hospitals.
Explanation
At your first visit to the hospital, even if the doctor does not ask you any questions, be sure to tell him or her the following
(1) Current illness and medications used
If you have another disease and are using a drug, tell the doctor the name of the disease and the type and name of the drug (including not only prescription drugs but also over-the-counter drugs). This is to prevent over-effectiveness due to synergistic effects of drugs and side effects caused by taking the same drug together.
You should also mention that you are using birth control pills or other contraceptives. Also, health foods and supplements are not drugs, but they can affect the combination of drugs, so it is also a good idea to tell your doctor about them.
(2) Any history of allergies or side effects
If you have had allergic reactions or side effects to medications in the past, you should tell them the names of the medications and the symptoms you experienced.
(3) Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If a woman is planning to become pregnant, is pregnant, or is breastfeeding, there is a possibility that the drug may affect the fetus or infant (see Q23 and Q24).
It is important to inform your doctor for your child's health.
(4) Work and alcohol consumption
Some medications can cause drowsiness. If you are a car driver, airplane pilot, or any other person whose work is disturbed by drowsiness, please inform your doctor in advance. Also, people who often drink alcohol in the evening or have many opportunities to drink alcohol in the course of their work should check if it is safe for them to drink alcohol.
Some patients find it difficult to talk to their doctors. Some people worry that if they ask too many questions, the doctor may not like them and may interfere with diagnosis and treatment. Many elderly people, in particular, are reserved and do not say what they need to say.
A family doctor who has known the patient for many years may be able to read a lot of things from the patient's condition, but this is not the case when the patient is new to the hospital. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the four points listed on the left are conveyed to the patient. It is also a good idea to bring along a "medicine notebook" with you to write down any precautions or questions that you need to take.
Chart/Column
19｜4 items to tell the doctor at the first visit
Example of the "Okusuri Notebook
The "Okusuri Notebook," which you can get from the pharmacy, will store important information about the medicines that will help in the treatment of your illness. The medication history you fill out can be useful as reference information for your doctor's diagnosis and prescription when you visit a hospital or doctor's office.
It is important to keep a record of not only the drugs prescribed at hospitals and clinics, but also those purchased and used at drugstores and convenience stores.
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