For consumers
(1300 633 424)
Mon-Fri | 9am-5pm AEST
Your call will be answered by healthdirect Australia
For health professionals
Find out the active ingredient and other brand names of your medicines with the NPS Medicine Name Finder
For a medicinewise Australia
Independent. Not-for-profit. Evidence based.
Site Tools
Quick Links
Ask a pharmacist!Ask a pharmacist!
These are just some of the questions that your pharmacist can answer. Some will be more relevant if you’re buying a prescription medicine. Others will be more relevant if you’re buying a non-prescription medicine.
- What is this medicine for?
- What is the active ingredient?
- What does it have in it?
- Is it OK for children?
- Is it OK for people with XYZ condition?
- Is there a generic brand with the same active ingredient, so I can save money?
- Can I have the Consumer Medicine Information leaflet for it?
- How does this medicine work?
- What can I expect to happen?
- Will I feel any different?
- How long will it take to work?
- How should I use this medicine?
- How much should I take? And, at what times of the day?
- How long do I need to take it for?
- How should I store this medicine?
- What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
- What about side effects?
- What should I do if I get a side effect?
- Are there any medicines I should not take at the same time as this one?
- Are there any special instructions? E.g. should I take it with food?
- How do I use this device (e.g. a puffer or spacer)?
- I have trouble swallowing tablets. What can I do?
- I can’t get the lid off the bottle. What can I do?
- I take a lot of different medicines at different times. Sometimes, I get them muddled up. What can I do?
- I don’t see very well. Can you print off the label in large print?
MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.
Date published: 2009-01-30 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.
