Buying medicine at the pharmacy (intermediate)
Before buying medicine, carefully check for safety. Ask if a prescription is needed, if there are side effects or drowsiness, and if it can be taken with other medicines, and also pick up children's medicine.
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Do I need a prescription for this?
Medicines that can be bought without a prescription are over-the-counter (OTC), while those that require a prescription are prescription medicine.
Are there any side effects?
Will this make me drowsy?
Can I take this with ibuprofen?
'take A with B' = take A with B. A key phrase to check for drug interactions.
I'm looking for something that won't make me sleepy.
How long do I need to take it?
It's for a child, six years old.
Since children's medication has different dosages, you need to mention the age for the pharmacist to provide the correct formulation.
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Three essential questions to check medication safety: any side effects?
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· make me drowsy?
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· take this with ~?.
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With these three questions, you can take it with peace of mind.
- prescription — Prescription
- side effects — Side effects
- drowsy — Drowsy, lethargic
- non-drowsy — Not drowsy
- dosage — Dosage, administration