How to Prepare for a Medication Review Appointment: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why Your Medication Review Appointment Matters

If you’re taking five or more medications - including prescriptions, over-the-counter painkillers, vitamins, or herbal supplements - a medication review isn’t just a good idea. It’s a safety requirement. Many clinics now stop issuing repeat prescriptions until you’ve had one. This isn’t bureaucracy. It’s protection. Every extra pill you take increases your risk of dangerous interactions, side effects, or pills you no longer need. A medication review cuts through the noise and makes sure every drug you’re taking still has a purpose.

What Exactly Is a Medication Review?

A medication review is a structured conversation with your doctor or pharmacist to look at every medicine you’re taking. It’s not just checking if your blood pressure meds are working. It’s asking: Is this still helping? Is it safe with what else you’re on? Could something be removed? The goal is to simplify your regimen, reduce risks, and make sure you’re only taking what you truly need. These reviews usually last 20 to 45 minutes, depending on how complex your meds are. They’re often done by your GP or a clinical pharmacist who specializes in medicines.

Step 1: Gather Every Single Medication You Take

Don’t rely on memory. Bring everything. That means:

• All prescription bottles - even ones you haven’t opened
• Over-the-counter pills like ibuprofen, paracetamol, or antacids
• Vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies (like St. John’s Wort or fish oil)
• Inhalers, creams, eye drops, patches, and liquid medicines

Why? Because your doctor can’t guess what’s in your medicine cabinet. A patient once forgot they were taking a herbal sleep aid. It turned out to interact dangerously with their heart medication. The pharmacist spotted it because they saw the bottle. Don’t assume something is "too small" or "natural" to matter. Everything counts.

Step 2: Make a Clear, Written List

Create a simple table with these columns:

• Medicine name (use the exact name on the bottle)
• Dosage (e.g., 10 mg, 2 sprays twice daily)
• Why you take it (e.g., "for high blood pressure," "for joint pain")
• Who prescribed it (e.g., Dr. Lee, Cardiologist)
• Side effects you’ve noticed (e.g., "dizzy after lunch," "constipated since last month")

Write this down on paper or type it into your phone. Don’t just keep it in your head. If you’re seeing someone via video call, have this list printed and ready. For Parkinson’s patients, timing matters even more - write down exactly when you take each dose. Missing a dose by 30 minutes can throw off your whole day.

Step 3: Think About What’s Not Working

Before your appointment, ask yourself:

• Do any of these medicines make me feel worse?
• Do I forget to take them? Why?
• Are they expensive or hard to get?
• Have I stopped taking one because it didn’t help?

These aren’t small complaints. They’re clues. If you’ve been skipping your diuretic because it makes you run to the bathroom too often, your doctor needs to know. There might be a better option. If you’re taking three different painkillers because none of them fully help, that’s a red flag. The review is your chance to speak up - not just answer questions, but lead the conversation.

Step 4: Know Your Goals

What do you want from this appointment? Maybe you’re tired of taking 12 pills a day. Maybe you’ve been dizzy since starting a new blood thinner. Maybe you just want to know if you can stop the calcium supplement your aunt told you to take. Write down one or two goals. For example:

• "I want to reduce the number of pills I take daily."
• "I need help understanding why I’m on this antidepressant."
• "Can I stop the aspirin now that my heart scan was normal?"

Having clear goals helps your provider focus. Medication reviews aren’t just about checking boxes. They’re about making your life easier and safer.

Step 5: Prepare for the Conversation

Your provider will likely ask:

• "How are you feeling on these medicines?"
• "Are you having any side effects?"
• "Do you ever miss doses? Why?"
• "What do you think each medicine is for?"
• "Are there any medicines you’d like to stop?"

Be honest. If you skip pills because they’re expensive, say so. If you stopped one because you didn’t like the side effect, tell them. Don’t worry about sounding like you’re "not following instructions." The goal isn’t to judge you - it’s to fix what’s broken. If you’re unsure how to answer, say "I don’t know" - that’s better than guessing.

Step 6: Special Considerations for Telehealth

If your review is by phone or video, preparation is even more critical. You can’t hand your pills to the pharmacist. So:

• Have all your medicines laid out on a table in front of you
• Keep your list printed and visible
• Test your camera and microphone ahead of time
• Have a quiet space with good lighting so they can see you clearly

For Parkinson’s patients, this is non-negotiable. Timing of levodopa doses is measured in minutes. If your doctor can’t see your pill organizer, they can’t help you adjust it. Bring your pill box. Show them how you take your meds. It makes all the difference.

What Happens If You Don’t Show Up?

Some clinics will send you reminders - three times. If you don’t respond, they’ll limit your prescription refills. After that, they may stop issuing new prescriptions entirely. This isn’t punishment. It’s a safety net. Without a review, your doctor doesn’t know if your medications are still safe. They can’t risk giving you something that might cause a fall, a stroke, or liver damage. If you’re having trouble getting to the clinic, ask about home visits. Many practices offer them for elderly or mobility-limited patients.

What to Expect After the Review

At the end, your provider will likely:

• Remove a medicine you no longer need
• Change the dose of one or more drugs
• Switch you to a cheaper or easier-to-take version
• Give you a new written plan with updated instructions

You’ll get a copy of the new list. Keep it with your wallet or phone. Update your list at home. If you’re still confused about something, ask for a follow-up. Don’t leave with unanswered questions.

When Should You Schedule a Review?

Annual reviews are standard - but don’t wait if something changes. Book one if:

• You’ve started or stopped a medicine
• You’ve been hospitalized
• You’re feeling more tired, dizzy, or confused
• You’re seeing multiple specialists
• You’re 65 or older

Even if you feel fine, a review every year is a smart habit. Medications change as your body changes. What worked at 60 might not be right at 70.