Do you know everything about your medicines? Do you know everything about your medicines?

All medicines have benefits and risks — even those bought over the counter from a pharmacy or supermarket, vitamins, complementary and traditional medicines. Learning about the medicines you take or manage for someone else helps you to use them safely and effectively. It can also help you to make more informed decisions about them.

Get more information about your medicines

Ask the right questions

Five questions you should always ask before taking a medicine:

• What the medicine is for?
• What is the active ingredient?
• How do I use or take 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?

Read more about getting answers about your medicines.

Want to know more about your medicines?

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflets are a good starting point for getting information about what you need to know before, during and after a medicine is taken. They are written by pharmaceutical manufacturers according to government standards and are available for prescription and pharmacist-only medicines. You can download CMIs online or ask a doctor or pharmacist to print one for you.

Find the active ingredient

The NPS Medicine name finder can identify the active ingredient and brand names of prescription medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Knowing the active ingredient name helps to avoid confusing medicines. This is particularly important if you’re managing multiple medicines or if you’re offered a different brand of medicine than usual.

Learn about new medicines

Medicine Update is a free consumer publication that lets you know about new medicines and PBS listings. It can help you answer important questions about a medicine like how well it works, what the potential side effects are, how it compares to other treatments and whether it’s a suitable option for you.

Speak to a health professional

NPS works with healthdirect Australia to deliver Medicines Line, a telephone service providing consumers with information on prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines. When you call Medicines Line you will speak with an experienced health professional.

Remember you can always ask your doctor, pharmacist or other trusted health professional for information about medicines and non-medicine treatments — they’re there to help you.