Suggestions for Patients

Get a Good Start 

Starting a new medicine or treatment can be overwhelming. The members of your health care team, which can include a doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, nurse and pharmacist, are there to help you get a good start. As you talk with your health care team, it is important to listen, ask questions and write things down so you can reference it later.

Don't be shy. If you have a question or are unsure about anything related to taking your medication, just ask.

Not Sure What Questions to Ask? 

Here are some questions you may want to discuss with your health care team. This is not a complete list, but it should help you think about what you would like to know. You may even want to print these out and take them with you the next time you visit your doctor or other health care provider.

• What is the name of the medicine?

• Why are you taking this medicine?

• How much and how often does my doctor want me to take the medicine?

• How long should I take the medication? Is this something I will be taking for a short period of time, or over a long period of time?

• How should I take the medicine? For example, is it a pill or tablet that must be swallowed? Should I take it on an empty or full stomach? Should I avoid taking it with other medicines?

• Should I expect to feel different when I start taking the medicine, or will it be unnoticeable to me?

• How will I know if the medicine is or isn’t working?

• What are the warning signs or symptoms that mean I should stop taking the medicine and call my doctor?

Many patient assistance programs are available to help with the cost of prescription medicines. Your health care team may have information about these programs, or you can visit the Partnership for Prescription Assistance to find out more information.

Always Take Medicines as Prescribed by Your Doctor 

It is important for you to take your medicine exactly as it is prescribed by your physician. Your doctor prescribes medicine based on your specific needs and this may differ from how it is prescribed for others. For example, a medicine or specific dose of medicine that works for your best friend may not work for you. 

Keep an Up-to-date List of Medicines You Take on a Regular Basis 

Make sure that your physician knows all of the prescription and non-prescription (over-the counter) medicines you take on a regular or occasional basis, including any vitamins or dietary supplements. This is especially important if several different physicians are treating you. 

If You Aren’t Happy With the Way a Medicine Makes You Feel 

If you find you aren't responding well to a medicine, call your doctor right away and talk about it. Other dosing options or medicines might be available and your doctor may want you to try something else. 

How You Can Avoid Getting Counterfeit Products 

Counterfeit or fake products are made to imitate genuine medicines, and it can be difficult to determine if you have a counterfeit product or not. The FDA reports that counterfeit products can be detrimental to your health because they “may contain the wrong ingredients, contain too much, too little or no active ingredient at all or contain other harmful ingredients.”

You should check the packaging, notice any changes in the shape or color of the medicine, and buy medicine only from known and/or established sources. If you suspect a counterfeit or tampered product, you should report it to your pharmacy, health care provider and the manufacturer. You should also save the product so it can be tested. If you have additional questions or concerns about the safety of any of your Lilly medicines, please call 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).

Learn more about counterfeit medicines.

What Are Medication Guides? 

Medication Guides present labeling information in non-technical language. They convey risk information specific to particular drugs and drug classes, and they also contain FDA-approved information that can help you avoid serious adverse events.

A Medication Guide is required for certain prescriptions that may pose a serious and significant public health concern and are determined necessary for the safe and effective use of the medicine. Health care providers must distribute the Medication Guide to people taking certain medicines. Medication Guides are required if the FDA determines that one or more of the following circumstances exists:

• Patient labeling could help prevent serious adverse effects.

• A medication has serious risk(s) (relative to benefits) that patients should be made aware of because information concerning the risk(s) could affect a patient's decision to use, or to continue to use, the product.

• Adherence to directions for use is crucial to the drug's effectiveness.

Medication Guides are reviewed and approved by the FDA as part of the approved product labeling. You should read the Medication Guide included with the prescription to ensure they are aware of important risks.  

What Are Patient Package Inserts? 

For some prescription drugs, such as oral contraceptives and estrogens, the FDA determined that the safe and effective use of the drug required additional labeling in non-technical language to be distributed directly to patients by their health care provider or pharmacist. In these circumstances, the FDA requires the distribution of a Patient Package Insert (PPI). The PPI may also be provided voluntarily by drug manufacturers for other medicines.

PPIs are reviewed and approved by the FDA as product labeling and may include information about a medicine’s benefits, risks, and other information relevant to its safe and effective use.

For Medication Guide, Patient Package Insert or other product-specific information please refer to our Current Medicines page.

Additional Resources