Cause for a Pause: When to Question Your Medications

If something doesn’t seem right about your medications, stop and ask questions. It’s always okay to double check, because even small mistakes can lead to big problems.

ISMP Canada received a report from a person who was picking up their parent’s medication refill. They were surprised that the price was higher than usual. When they asked, they were told it might be due to a one-time fee. Later, another family member suggested a double check before giving any doses. When the person took a closer look at the label, they noticed someone else’s name.

• The medication looks different. It is always a good idea to check with your pharmacy team if the shape, colour, or packaging of a medication looks different from previous refills.
• The cost is not what you expected. It is always good to check with your pharmacy team if the price of a medication has changed.
• The taste isn’t the same. Some medications need to be mixed with juice or water. Check with your pharmacy team if the taste of the medication mixture is different from what you’re used to.
• Your medication runs out too soon—or lasts longer than expected. Always check the label to make sure the strength, directions, and quantity match what you were expecting.
• Something just doesn’t feel right. Even if you are not sure why, trust your gut feeling and contact your pharmacist. It’s okay to ask questions.

Mederror newsletters are reviewed by consumers who are committed to improving medication safety. Learning from consumer reports is shared with health care providers through ISMP Canada publications. This newsletter shares information about safety medication practices, is noncommercial, and is therefore exempt from Canadian anti-spam legislation. *Funding support provided by Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada. Mederror is a component of the Canadian Medication Incident Reporting and Learning Prevention System.