Know what you’re taking

Duration: Length 1.38

Transcript

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.

Know what you’re taking

Reviewed 18 October 2015