Know what you’re taking

Woman 1 - When I went into hospital, I took my medication with me. But then I was surprised 

that they took me off some tablets that I’d been taking for years. 

Man 1 - The doctor said as you get older your body changes and this can change the way 

medicine affects your body. Sometimes, stopping some medications can help you feel better.

Woman 2 - I guess the more medications you take, the more likely you are to have a problem or 

get bad side effects. Which makes sense, really.

Man 2 - I wasn’t too sure what the medicine I was being given in hospital was for and I didn’t 

usually think of questioning the doctor or nurse. But now I know you must always ask 

questions.

Man 3 - I asked them to tell me when they changed my medications so I could find out how 

much I should be taking, and when.

Woman 2 - I also like to know why I need to take it, and what side effects there might be, so I 

try to remember to ask the nurse that too.

Woman 3 (Italian) - I couldn’t quite recall the reason some of my of my tablets were changed 

when I came into hospital.

Man 1 - There was so much information to take in I didn’t really understand it all, so I asked the 

pharmacist to write it down for me. 

Woman 2 - She told me to keep an up-to-date list of my medicines with me, everything from my 

prescriptions to vitamins and over-the-counter things. 

Woman 1 - Now I know that keeping track of my medication – it’s really important. 

Narrator - Know what you’re taking. Get well soon.