New Prescriptions
Understand what your prescription is for, how it should be taken, important directions, and what you should know before getting started.
Pharmacist Consultation at ABC Drugs
Medication Questions • Pharmacist Support
Questions about a prescription, side effect, interaction, or over-the-counter medicine? Your pharmacist can help you better understand your medications and how to use them safely.
At ABC Drugs, our pharmacy team is available to help patients understand prescription directions, medication use, possible side effects and interactions, OTC medicines, and other medication-related questions.
Whether you are starting a new prescription or managing several medications, talking with a pharmacist can help you make sense of your medication routine and identify questions that may need follow-up with your prescriber.
Ask Your Pharmacist
What Can You Talk With Our Pharmacist About?
Medication questions can come up long after a prescription is first filled. Our pharmacy team can help with many of the everyday questions patients have about their medicines.
Side Effects
Ask questions about possible medication side effects, what to watch for, and when a concern may need follow-up with your prescriber or other medical care.
Medication Interactions
Discuss potential interactions involving prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, or relevant foods.
OTC Medicines
Ask whether an over-the-counter product may be appropriate to consider based on the medications and relevant information you share with our pharmacist.
Medication Reviews
Review your medication list with our pharmacy team and better understand how your prescriptions fit together.
Everyday Medication Questions
Ask about prescription labels, medication timing, storage, administration directions, missed-dose instructions, and other practical medication questions.
New Prescription Counseling
Starting a New Medication?
Starting a new prescription often brings questions. Our pharmacy team can help you understand how to take your medication, important precautions, and what to watch for.
- What your medication is for and how to take it
- Timing, directions, and missed-dose questions
- Possible side effects and medication interactions
- Prescription labels, storage, and precautions
Questions after you get home? Contact ABC Drugs whenever you need clarification about your prescription directions.
Medication Safety Questions
Questions About Side Effects or Interactions?
If you have a question about a possible side effect or medication interaction, talk with our pharmacy team. Pharmacists are trained to evaluate medication-related information and help patients understand when a concern may require additional follow-up.
It is important to tell your pharmacist about more than prescription medications. Over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and dietary supplements can also matter when reviewing potential interactions.
Keep your medication information current. Tell your pharmacist when medications, OTC products, vitamins, or supplements are added or discontinued so the pharmacy has a more complete picture when answering medication questions.
Over-the-Counter Medicines
Not Sure Which OTC Product to Choose?
Choosing an over-the-counter medicine is not always as simple as selecting a product for a symptom. Your prescriptions, medical history, allergies, and other products you take may affect which options are appropriate to consider.
Tell our pharmacist what prescription medications, OTC products, vitamins, and supplements you use. We can help you understand product labels, possible medication interactions, and questions you may want to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Helpful Information to Share
- Your current prescription medications
- Other OTC products you already use
- Vitamins and dietary supplements
- Known medication allergies or previous reactions
- Relevant health conditions
- Questions or concerns you want to discuss
Medication Reviews
Taking Several Medications? Let's Look at the Whole Picture.
Managing medications can become more complicated when you take several prescriptions, receive prescriptions from different healthcare providers, or also use OTC medicines and supplements.
Reviewing your medication list with our pharmacy team can help you better understand what you are taking, how your medication routine fits together, and whether there are questions that should be discussed with your prescriber.
Understand Your Medication List
Review medication names, directions, schedules, and the purpose of your prescriptions when that information is available.
Identify Questions to Follow Up On
If something about your medication regimen needs clarification or review by the prescriber, our pharmacy team can help identify the concern and explain the next step.
Prepare for the Conversation
Get More From Your Pharmacist Conversation
The more complete the medication information you provide, the better our pharmacy team can understand your question.
Your Medication List
Bring an up-to-date list of your prescription medications when possible, especially if prescriptions come from more than one healthcare provider.
OTCs & Supplements
Include over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and dietary supplements you regularly use.
Your Questions
Write down questions about side effects, timing, directions, interactions, or anything else that is unclear about your medications.
When Your Question Needs Your Prescriber or Medical Care
Pharmacists are medication experts, but pharmacist consultation does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment from your physician or other appropriate healthcare provider. ABC Drugs does not independently change a prescribed medication, dose, or treatment plan.
If our pharmacy team identifies a prescription question that requires clarification or a treatment decision, we may direct you back to your prescriber or coordinate with the prescriber's office when appropriate.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
More Ways We Can Help
Related Pharmacy Services
A medication question sometimes leads to another practical pharmacy need. These ABC Drugs services may also be helpful.
Pharmacy Education
Learn More About Your Medications and Pharmacist Consultations
Have questions about a new prescription, possible side effects, or taking an over-the-counter medicine with your prescriptions? Explore these five ABC Drugs pharmacist-reviewed educational guides for practical information to help you prepare for a conversation with your pharmacist.
Pharmacist Consultations
What Is a Pharmacist Consultation and What Happens During One?
Learn what to expect, what questions a pharmacist can help answer, and how to prepare for a medication conversation.
Read the guide When to Seek AdviceWhen Should You Talk to a Pharmacist About Your Medication?
Recognize when a medication question calls for pharmacist advice and when symptoms may require more urgent medical care.
Read the guide Possible Side EffectsWhat Should You Do If You Think Your Medication Is Causing Side Effects?
Learn practical steps for documenting symptoms, recognizing urgent warning signs, and asking for medication-specific guidance.
Read the guide New Medication ChecklistWhat Questions Should You Ask Your Pharmacist About a New Medication?
Use a ten-question checklist to clarify medication directions, missed doses, precautions, and follow-up before starting treatment.
Explore the checklist OTC & Prescription SafetyCan You Take Over-the-Counter Medicine With Prescription Medication?
Follow a three-step check for active ingredients, existing medicines, and potential interactions before adding an OTC product.
Read the safety guideFrequently Asked Questions
Pharmacist Consultation FAQs
Common questions patients have about talking with a pharmacist about their medications.
What can I ask a pharmacist about my medications?
You can ask about prescription directions, how and when to take a medication, possible side effects, interactions, storage, prescription labels, missed-dose instructions, OTC products, vitamins and supplements, and other medication-related questions.
Can I talk to the pharmacist about a new prescription?
Yes. Our pharmacy team can help explain how the prescribed medication is intended to be used, important directions and precautions, and medication information you should understand before starting it.
Can a pharmacist explain medication side effects?
Yes. A pharmacist can discuss known medication side effects and help you understand when a concern may require follow-up with your prescriber or other medical care.
Can a pharmacist check for medication interactions?
Pharmacists can review medication-related information for potential interactions. Be sure to tell the pharmacist about prescription medicines, OTC products, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements you use so the review is based on more complete information.
Should I tell my pharmacist about vitamins and supplements?
Yes. Vitamins, herbal products, and dietary supplements can be relevant when reviewing your medication routine and possible interactions. Include them when sharing your medication list with the pharmacy.
Can I ask a pharmacist about an over-the-counter medicine?
Yes. Tell our pharmacist what prescription medicines, OTC products, vitamins, and supplements you already use. The pharmacist can help you understand OTC product information and possible medication-related considerations.
What should I do if I miss a dose of my medication?
Missed-dose instructions can differ depending on the medication. Check the instructions provided with your prescription and contact our pharmacy team if you are unsure what the directions mean. Do not automatically double a dose unless you have been specifically instructed to do so.
Can a pharmacist explain when and how I should take my medicine?
Yes. Our pharmacy team can explain the directions on your prescription, including medication timing and administration instructions provided with the prescribed treatment.
Can ABC Drugs review all of my medications together?
Our pharmacy team can review the medication information you provide and help you better understand your medication list, directions, schedules, and medication-related questions. Bring an up-to-date medication list when possible.
What should I bring for a medication review?
Bring an up-to-date list of your prescription medications, OTC medicines, vitamins, and supplements when possible. Also include known medication allergies or previous reactions and any specific questions you want to discuss.
What if I get prescriptions from several doctors?
Tell our pharmacy team about all of the medications you use, including prescriptions from different healthcare providers. A complete medication list gives the pharmacist better information when answering medication-related questions.
Can a pharmacist change my prescription or dose?
ABC Drugs does not independently change your prescribed medication, dose, or treatment plan. If a medication issue requires a treatment decision or a new prescription, the pharmacy may need to coordinate with or refer you back to your prescriber.
When should I contact my doctor instead of my pharmacist?
Pharmacists can help with medication-related questions, but new or worsening symptoms that require diagnosis or a change in treatment should be evaluated by the appropriate healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Can ABC Drugs help me organize several medications?
Yes. In addition to pharmacist medication support, ABC Drugs offers medication packaging and medication synchronization for eligible prescriptions. Options include pill packs, blister packs, Dispill, and coordinated refill schedules.
Can ABC Drugs help if I have a question about prescription insurance or a rejected claim?
Yes. Insurance and coverage questions are handled through our Prescription Insurance & Copay Assistance service. Our pharmacy team can help with prescription insurance questions, claim rejections, prior authorization issues, and other coverage concerns.
Ask Your Pharmacist
Have a Question About Your Medication?
Talk with the ABC Drugs pharmacy team about your prescriptions, medication directions, side effects, interactions, OTC medicines, or other medication questions.