Questions to Ask Before Starting a New Pain Medication

Questions to Ask Before Starting a New Pain Medication

Before beginning any new pain medication, it’s important to understand how it works, how to take it safely, and how it fits into your pain management plan. Use this checklist to guide your conversation with your healthcare provider. Bring it to your appointment and check off each question as you discuss it.

✔️ Questions to Ask:

☐ What is the name of this medication (brand and generic)?

☐ What type of pain is it meant to treat (e.g., nerve pain, inflammation, muscle pain)?

☐ How and when should I take it (dose, time of day, with or without food)?

☐ How long should I expect to take this medication?

☐ How soon will I notice pain relief?

☐ What are the most common side effects?

☐ What serious side effects should I watch for and report right away?

☐ Could this medication interact with my other prescriptions, supplements, or alcohol?

☐ Are there activities I should avoid (driving, operating machinery)?

☐ How will we monitor whether this medication is working?

☐ What should I do if I miss a dose or take too much?

☐ How should I store this medication safely at home and during travel?

☐ What is the plan to stop or taper the medication if I no longer need it?

☐ Are there lifestyle changes or non-medication options I should try along with this treatment?

☐ Who should I call if I have questions or side effects after starting this medication?

Tip: Take this checklist to your appointment and write the answers next to each question. Having everything in one place will make it easier to follow your care plan safely.

This content was created with the assistance of AI. Any AI-generated content was reviewed by a Nurse Practitioner.