What to ask your prescriber

Block 1 — Before starting

About the prescriber

• What is your full name and registration number? (GMC, NMC, or GPhC.)
• What is your scope of practice and how often do you prescribe this medicine?
• Who do I contact if you’re not available — a colleague, the clinic, NHS 111?

About the medicine

• Which specific medicine are you prescribing? (Brand and active ingredient.)
• Is this within the UK licensed indication, or off-label?
• If off-label, what’s the clinical reason and how is that documented?
• What dose schedule will I follow?
• Which pharmacy will dispense it?

About me

• Given my medical history, is there anything that makes this less appropriate?
• Should I have baseline blood tests before starting? Which ones?
• Are there interactions with my other medicines or supplements?
• If I’m of reproductive age — what’s the contraception plan and the washout for pregnancy?

About risks

• What are the common side effects?
• What are the rare but serious side effects?
• What symptoms mean I should stop the medicine and contact you?
• What symptoms mean I should go to A&E?

About expectations

• What outcome can I realistically expect, and over what timescale?
• How will we know if it’s working?
• What’s the plan if it isn’t working at 12–16 weeks?
• How long can I stay on this?

About logistics

• How often will we meet for follow-up?
• How do I escalate side effects between appointments?
• What does this cost monthly, including consultations and the medicine?

Block 2 — On treatment (review appointments)

• How is my response compared to what we expected?
• What side effects am I having and what’s the plan for them?
• Should we hold the current dose, escalate, or step down?
• Are there blood tests that should be repeated?
• Is my contraception plan still appropriate?
• Has anything in my medical picture changed that affects this prescription?
• If I’m on the licensed maximum and want more effect, what are the options?

Block 3 — Considering stopping

• What’s the medical risk of stopping vs continuing?
• If I stop, what’s the typical timeline for weight regain or symptom return?
• Is there a tapering schedule or can I stop directly?
• If I want to restart later, what does that look like?
• Are there alternative medicines or non-pharmacological approaches you recommend?
• How do I record my stop date for the medical record?

Things you have a right to ask for in writing

• The prescriber’s full name and registration number.
• The dispensing pharmacy’s name and registration.
• The clinical reasoning behind off-label prescribing (if relevant).
• The plan for follow-up.
• The escalation route for adverse events.
• The refund or cancellation policy (private practice).

Printable version

Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P) to print. The structure is designed to fit a two-sided print so you can take it to consultations.