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Be MedicineWise WHY BE MEDICINEWISE?
Why should I read medicine labels?
Being medicinewise will help you make better health decisions for you and those you care for.
We all take medicines, but too often we take them for granted. Being medicinewise will help you to get the most benefit from your medicines.
By being medicine wise you’ll know what you’re taking and why and how it could affect you — and whether a medicine is the best option in the first place.
Being medicinewise means knowing the right questions to ask about your medicines, and that if you are unsure about something you can ask your doctor, pharmacist or search our website.
3 steps to being medicinewise
- Know it’s a medicine: Medicines don’t just come on prescription — they include over-the-counter medicines from the pharmacy, supermarket or other store, as well as herbal remedies, vitamins and other supplements. Medicines come in many forms including tablets, lotions, drops and inhalers.
Read more about what a medicine is. - Find the active ingredient: Knowing the active ingredient in your medicine will help you to avoid confusion, such as accidentally double dosing if you use different brands with the same active ingredient.
Learn more about the active ingredient. - Ask the right questions: By asking questions to get the information you need about medicines from trusted sources, you can get the most benefit from your medicines and make better informed decisions about them.
Read more questions to ask.
Top 5 medicinewise questions
For whenever you are taking a medicine
- What is the medicine for?
- What is the active ingredient?
- How do I take or use this medicine correctly?
- What are the possible side effects and what can I do about them?
- What should or shouldn’t I do while taking this medicine?
Date published: 2011-01-01 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.
