6 Reasons You MUST Cross Check Your Doctor’s Prescription

Most people take a doctor’s prescription for tests or medicines and don’t even bother to look at it again. But, these days many doctors spend less than five minutes with each patient and often start prescribing tests and medicines before the patient has even finished describing the symptoms. Very few patients actually carry their current medication or previous prescriptions to show the doctor. Even if you are good at giving a proper medical history and have your set of current medicines, it is very important to thoroughly check your prescription not just for your own understanding but to crosscheck the information.

Here are a few pointers on what to check and why:

 1.  Accurate record of medical history

The notes made by the doctor in a prescription are not only important for your doctor’s reference the next time you visit, but also significant at the time of settling insurance claims. Make sure you describe your symptoms correctly and also have a proper timeline for when each symptom appeared. Sometimes, when doctors are in a hurry they may note a wrong timeline for a symptom, which is enough to get your medical claim rejected if the health insurance company concludes that it is a pre-existing condition. Here’s how to present your medical history to your doctor.

2. Best labs and follow up for tests and treatments  

If the doctor has recommended a list of specialised tests, you need to check which is the best lab to do it and also in some cases, whether it is absolutely necessary. For example, if a person is prescribed a contrast CT scan and they are constantly throwing up, then you can ask the doctor whether regular CT scan will do. Sometimes, doctors will take your requests into account. And for some test and treatment options, it is important to seek a second opinion. Certain tests, for example, may yield different results only if repeated after a specific gap or interval. So don’t just follow instructions blindly.

3. Repeat tests or fresh tests?

More often than not, when you go to the doctor with a bunch of test reports or when you go to another doctor for a second opinion, they might prescribe some tests all over again. This may be because they have not gone through your reports thoroughly. In this case, you can point out that the tests were done recently and ask whether they actually need to be repeated. More often than not, the doctor will strike it off the list. Before you spend on getting the tests all over again, cross-check the list of tests with your reports.

4. Allergic ingredients are not present in drugs 

If you are allergic to penicillin or sulpha drugs or anything else, it is important to mention it to the doctor. It is equally important to ask the doctor again whether the medication prescribed contains anything that you could be allergic to. To be safe, you should also google the list of ingredients once you get the medication.  Are you allergic to antibiotics?

5. Compare ingredients in medicines 

Sometimes doctors may prescribe a different brand name for the medicine that you probably already have in your cabinet. It is always a good idea, especially for common painkillers, fever medicine, cough syrups etc. to mention what you already have. Then the doctor can take a call on whether you need to switch medicines or you can continue to use what you have. Also, check whether you can take a generic drug for your ailment.

6. Contraindications with current treatments

It is also important to check whether any of the medicines prescribed are contraindicated with the drugs you are currently taking for any other conditions. Please inform your physician of all the medicines (including homoeopathic and ayurvedic) you are currently using. Sometimes, the medicines may carry additional quantities of a drug you are taking which may lead to an inadvertent overdose. Even if you think that your medicine is not relevant or for a minor ailment like a headache, some drugs don’t mix well, so tell your doctor about each and every medicine.  It is best to carry the medicines with you to the doctor so they can check the ingredients.

Source:http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/reasons-you-must-cross-check-your-doctors-prescription-c1217/