Taking Medicines

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the difference between prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs?
  2. After you swallow a pill or capsule, what happens to the drug inside the body?
  3. How does the body get rid of medicines?
  4. What is an active ingredient?
  5. What should I know about the active ingredients in the medications and other products I take?
  6. Does aging affect how the body processes medicines?
  7. Do medicines work the same in all people?
  8. How do genes affect how people respond to drugs?
  9. How can I remember all the details about a new medicine the doctor prescribes for me?
  12. If I have questions about my medicine after I leave the doctor's office, what should I do?
  13. What are some tips for taking medicines properly?
  14. Why do some medications need to be taken with meals?
  15. Should all medicines be taken with food?
  16. What are drug interactions?
  17. What are side effects?
  18. What are some ways to avoid side effects?
  19. What is the "grapefruit juice effect?"
  20. If I feel better, can I stop taking the medication my doctor has prescribed for me?
  21. What's the best place to store my medications?
  22. How can I manage my medications when I travel?
  23. How can doctors be sure new drugs work as they should?
  24. What are clinical trials and who conducts them?
  25. Are there risks involved in participating in clinical trials?
  26. Are researchers working on developing new medicines for diseases of aging?
  27. What is pharmacogenomics research?

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