Questions to Ask about Your Diabetes Medicines

Insert B

Ask your doctor these questions when you get a prescription for a medicine. Make copies of this insert and use one sheet for each of your medicines.

1. What are the names of my medicine?

   Brand name:

   Generic name:

2. What does my medicine do?

3. When should I start this medicine?

4. This medicine is prescribed by:

5. How long will it take this medicine to work?

6. What is the strength (for example, how many milligrams, written as mg)?

7. How much should I take for each dose?

8. How many times a day should I take my medicine?

9. At what times should I take my medicine?

10. Should I take it before, with, or after a meal?

11. Should I avoid any foods or medicines when I take it?

12. Should I avoid alcoholic beverages when I take it?

13. Are there any times when I should change the amount of medicine I take?

14. What should I do if I forget to take it?

15. If I'm sick and can't keep food down, should I still take my medicine?

16. Can my diabetes medicine cause low blood glucose?

17. What should I do if my blood glucose is too low?

18. What side effects can this medicine cause?

19. What should I do if I have side effects?

20. How should I store this medicine?