Medication Review Conversation Checklist

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This checklist is for people who want to prepare for a clearer, safer conversation about medication with a qualified prescriber, doctor, psychiatrist, pharmacist, or other appropriate health professional. It may also help if you are discussing how medication fits with psychotherapy, counselling, physical health, relationships, work, sleep, or daily life.

Important safety note

This page is educational information. It is not diagnosis, prescribing advice, a medication recommendation, a medication review, crisis care, or a substitute for working with a qualified human professional who can assess your situation.

  • Do not start, stop, pause, reduce, increase, combine, switch, or restart medication because of anything on this website.
  • Medication decisions need to be discussed with a qualified prescriber who can consider diagnosis, other relevant conditions, physical health, other medicines, alcohol or substance use, pregnancy or breastfeeding, side effects, risks, preferences, and monitoring needs.
  • If you have immediate thoughts of self-harm or harm to someone else, feel unable to stay safe, or have severe or unusual symptoms, contact local emergency services or urgent crisis support now. In Ireland or the UK, call 112 or 999 in an emergency.

For urgent mental health support in Ireland, see the HSE urgent help page and the Mental Health Commission urgent help page. Please also read the full website disclaimer.

Before the appointment

It can be difficult to remember everything during an appointment. A short written list can make the conversation more useful and can reduce the chance that important safety information is missed.

  • Current prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, herbal products, and occasional medicines.
  • Medication names, doses, timing, how you actually take them, missed doses, recent changes, and who prescribed them.
  • Past medicines that helped, did not help, or caused side effects.
  • Allergies, unusual reactions, withdrawal symptoms, overdose history, or medication errors.
  • Main symptoms, when they started, what makes them worse or better, and how they affect sleep, work, relationships, study, daily tasks, or safety.
  • Physical health conditions, pain, neurological symptoms, heart or blood pressure issues, liver or kidney issues, seizures, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and relevant family history.
  • Alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, opioids, sedatives, or other substance use, including non-prescribed use.
  • Your goals: what you hope medication may help with, what side effects you most want to avoid, and what would count as meaningful improvement.

Questions to discuss

  • What diagnosis or working explanation is this medication meant to address, and what other relevant conditions should be considered?
  • Why this option rather than psychotherapy alone, another medication, watchful waiting, lifestyle changes, or a different treatment route?
  • What benefit should I realistically look for, and how long might it take to notice?
  • What common side effects, serious warning signs, interactions, and withdrawal or discontinuation issues should I know about?
  • Could this medication interact with alcohol, other medicines, over-the-counter products, supplements, or recreational substances?
  • Are there driving, work, childcare, study, sport, sleep, sex, fertility, pregnancy, or breastfeeding considerations?
  • What monitoring is needed: follow-up date, symptom tracking, blood pressure, weight, blood tests, ECG, sleep, mood elevation, agitation, or suicide-risk review?
  • What should I do if I miss a dose, feel worse, feel unusually activated, have side effects, or want to stop?
  • Who should I contact between appointments, and what symptoms should lead to same-day advice or emergency help?
  • How should medication, psychotherapy, counselling, social support, routines, exercise, sleep, and stress reduction fit together?

If you are thinking about stopping or changing medication

It is understandable to have concerns about medication. Side effects, fear of dependence, emotional changes, stigma, cost, pregnancy plans, sexual side effects, sleep changes, or feeling better can all raise questions. The safer next step is to discuss those concerns directly with the prescriber or pharmacist rather than making an abrupt change alone.

Some medicines need tapering or close monitoring. Stopping suddenly can sometimes lead to withdrawal symptoms, relapse, rebound symptoms, or new safety risks. A qualified prescriber can help plan timing, pace, alternatives, monitoring, and what to do if symptoms return.

A short copy-and-paste checklist

Current medicines and supplements:
Recent medication changes:
Main symptoms I want help with:
Side effects or worries:
Physical health conditions:
Alcohol/substance use:
Pregnancy or breastfeeding considerations:
What I hope treatment will improve:
Questions I do not want to forget:
When to follow up and who to contact if things worsen:

How psychotherapy or counselling can fit in

Medication questions need a qualified prescriber. Psychotherapy or counselling can still be important because medication decisions do not happen in a vacuum. Therapy can help explore patterns in communication, relationships, avoidance, grief, trauma, stress, self-understanding, meaning, and the practical changes that support recovery.

If you would like to discuss the therapy side of treatment, you can read more about psychotherapy, send a practical contact question, or make an appointment. Please do not send confidential clinical histories, full medication lists, or urgent safety information through public comments or ordinary website routes.

Related pages

Sources checked

Sources checked on 8 May 2026. This list is included so readers can compare this educational page with reputable public health information and professional guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Can this checklist tell me whether a medication is right for me?

No. It can help you prepare questions, but it cannot assess diagnosis, suitability, dose, interactions, or risk for an individual person. Those decisions need a qualified prescriber who knows the details of your situation.

Should I stop a medication if I am worried about side effects?

Do not stop, reduce, increase, combine, or restart medication because of website information. Contact the prescriber or pharmacist for guidance. Seek urgent medical help for severe, unusual, or dangerous symptoms, or if there is immediate risk of harm.

Who can help me review psychiatric medication?

Medication questions should be discussed with a qualified prescriber or pharmacist. Psychotherapy or counselling can support the wider treatment picture, but it does not replace prescriber review.

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