We always want what is best for our kids. And sometimes that means that they might need a new medication. It can feel hard making the decision to have your young person start or not start a new medication. One of those reasons is that we often don’t know much about the medication. Therefore, information gathering can help you feel more secure in making that decision.
Plus, it is your right to be fully informed about any medication.
My View on Medication
Medications are like other supports
- We all deserve options of support
- We may need this support
- We may not need this support later
Please find a list below of some starting questions you can ask your care provider to help you feel more empowered in the decision making process.
Here are some questions you may consider asking your care provider about a potential new medication
- What is the name of the medication?
- Why was this medication chosen?
- How will this medication help my young person?
- When or at what time(s) does my young person take this medication?
- What dose should my young person take?
- Will the dose of the medication change as my young person takes it?
- After my young person begins taking this medication, how long until we should see it working?
- How should my young person take this medication (ie. swallow whole, chew)?
- Does this medication interact with any other medications &/or supplements?
- Does this medication interact with any foods or drinks?
- What are the side effects of this medication?
- What should I do if the side effects occur?
- How will I know that the medication is working or that my young person is getting better on this medication?
- What are the signs that my young person is getting worse?
- Can I have information to read about this medication?
- Are there any exams, tests or blood tests that need to be done for my young person before taking the medication?
- Will any tests need to be done while my young person is taking this medication?
- My young person attends school, what does the school nurse &/or teachers need to know about this medication?
- How long will my young person need to take this medication?
- How will we decide to stop this medication?
- What would happen to my young person if they didn’t take this medication?
- Can I have direct contact information for you (prescribing practitioner) if we have concerns?
As appropriate, please do also involve your young person in the conversations with care providers and provide space and time for them to give their thoughts on the medication.
Thanks for reading,
Laura Hellfeld
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Last modified: 1 January 2025