Choosing the wrong medication may mean that it doesn't do what you hope it will, that it could harm you, and that you waste time and money. Choosing the medication (drug) that best fits your needs and lifestyle may not only be good for your health and pocket book, it can also lead to greater compliance.

When choosing whether to take a drug, herb or supplement.

Step 1. Learn enough about your condition and the potential impact of the drug, herb or supplement so that you make a decision as an informed consumer (the medical profession calls this "Informed Consent").

Step 2. Determine your priorities. Think about the various ways that the drug and/or treatment under consideration could impact your life. For example, do you need to keep your mind alert for your job?

Step 3. Learn:

• What a drug does and does not do. 
• About side effects and long term effects.
• About alternatives.

Step 4. Check to be sure there are no negative interactions with any other drug you take, or recently stopped taking or your health condition.

If you have a choice between different drugs and it is difficult to make a decision, Survivorship A to Z provides an Evaluator to help.