The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends asking your doctor or pharmacist these questions when getting a new medication:

•What is the name of the medicine?

•What is it supposed to do?

•Is it OK to substitute a less-expensive generic drug for the name brand? Will it achieve the same effect?

•What is the dose of the medicine?

•Are there foods, drinks, other medicines or activities I should avoid while taking this drug?

•What are the possible side effects? What should I do if they occur?

•How many refills of this prescription can I get?

•What should I do if I miss a dose?

•Is there written information I can take home? — AP