How to Prepare for a Medication Review Appointment: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why a medication review matters

You’re on several medications. Maybe you take pills for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and joint pain. Maybe you also grab ibuprofen for headaches, a daily vitamin, and a herbal supplement your cousin swore by. It’s easy to lose track. But if you’re taking five or more medicines regularly, a medication review isn’t optional-it’s a safety check you can’t afford to skip.

In the UK, practices like Godiva Group Practice NHS now require these reviews at least once a year. If you don’t show up, they’ll send reminders. Then they’ll limit your prescriptions. Eventually, they’ll stop issuing refills altogether until you’ve had the review. That’s not bureaucracy-it’s because missed reviews lead to dangerous drug interactions, side effects you didn’t know you had, or pills you’re taking that no longer even help.

Medication reviews aren’t about being judged. They’re about making sure every pill you swallow is still doing what it’s meant to. The goal? Fewer side effects, better control of your condition, and less clutter in your medicine cabinet.

What to bring: Your complete medicine list

Don’t rely on memory. Bring everything.

This means all medications: prescriptions, over-the-counter painkillers, vitamins, herbal remedies, creams, inhalers, eye drops-even the ones you only take when you feel bad. If it’s in your bathroom cabinet, your purse, or your kitchen drawer, bring it.

Doctors and pharmacists don’t just want names. They need:

• The exact name of each medicine (e.g., not just "blood pressure pill," but "amlodipine 5mg")
• The dose (how many milligrams or millilitres)
• How often you take it (once a day? after meals? only when needed?)
• Why you’re taking it (e.g., "for high blood pressure," "for heartburn")
• Who prescribed it (your GP, cardiologist, dentist?)
• Any side effects you’ve noticed (dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, sleepiness)

For people with Parkinson’s, timing matters even more. A delay of 30 minutes in taking levodopa can mean hours of stiffness. Write down your exact schedule: "7:00 AM: 100mg levodopa, 10:00 AM: 5mg pramipexole." If you’re doing a video call, having this written out is your lifeline.

Bring the actual medicines

Yes, bring the bottles. Even the empty ones.

Why? Because labels lie. Sometimes the pharmacy mislabels. Sometimes you switched brands and didn’t notice the dose changed. Sometimes you stopped taking one but forgot to throw it out.

When you show up with your pills in a bag, your pharmacist can see:

• Expiration dates (you’d be surprised how many people still take old meds)
• Batch numbers (in case of recalls)
• Whether you’re splitting pills you shouldn’t be
• If you’re using the right inhaler technique
• If you’re taking a cream meant for skin on your tongue

One patient brought a bottle labeled "aspirin 81mg." The pharmacist noticed the cap had been replaced-the actual pills inside were naproxen. That’s the kind of mistake a review catches before it causes harm.

Write down your questions and concerns

It’s easy to walk out of the room thinking, "I forgot to ask something." Don’t let that happen.

Before your appointment, grab a notepad. Write down:

• "I’ve been feeling dizzy since I started this new pill-could it be the cause?"
• "I’m taking four pills for my stomach. Can any be cut?"
• "I read online that this drug causes memory loss. Should I be worried?"
• "I can’t afford this medication anymore. Is there a cheaper option?"
• "What happens if I stop this one?"

These aren’t dumb questions. They’re the ones that lead to real changes. Your pharmacist or GP isn’t there to lecture you-they’re there to help you feel better, safer, and more in control.

Know the difference between types of reviews

Not every medication review is the same. There are three main types:

1. Prescription review: Checks if the prescription is written correctly-right drug, right dose, no dangerous interactions.
2. Concordance review: Talks about whether you’re actually taking your meds as directed. Are you skipping doses? Running out early? Forgetting? This isn’t about blame-it’s about finding solutions.
3. Clinical medication review: Looks at your whole health picture. Are your meds still helping? Are they causing more harm than good? Could you stop one safely?

If you’re on five or more medicines, you’re likely getting a clinical review. That’s the deep dive. It’s where you’ll talk about whether you really need that statin, if your painkiller is masking a bigger problem, or if your antidepressant is making you too sleepy to drive.

Telehealth? Here’s how to prepare

If your review is over Zoom, phone, or another video platform, you need to prep differently.

First: Test your tech. Make sure your camera works. Your mic isn’t muted. You know how to join the call. Have your login details ready.

Second: Have your medicines laid out on the table in front of you. When the pharmacist asks, "Can you show me the bottle for your cholesterol pill?"-you don’t want to fumble. Have them all in view.

Third: Have your written list on screen or next to you. Don’t try to read from memory. Say: "Here’s what I wrote down-can we go through it?"

Telehealth reviews are just as effective as in-person ones-if you’re ready. The biggest mistake? Showing up with no meds, no list, and hoping you’ll remember everything.

What happens during the appointment

Expect the review to take 20 to 45 minutes. It’s not a quick check-in.

Your pharmacist or GP will:

• Ask you how you’ve been feeling lately
• Go through your list, one by one
• Check for interactions between your medicines
• Ask if any pills cause side effects you haven’t mentioned
• Look at whether any meds are no longer needed
• Discuss alternatives if something’s too expensive or hard to take
• Explain what to expect if you stop or change a drug

They might say: "This blood pressure medicine you’ve been on for 10 years? We can try lowering the dose. You’re not having side effects, but your numbers are great now. Let’s see how you do on half."

Or: "That herbal tea you take for sleep? It interacts with your heart medication. Let’s find a safer option."

You’re not there to be told what to do. You’re there to decide together what’s best for you.

What to do after the review

At the end, you should walk away with:

• A clear list of what to keep, stop, or change
• Updated instructions for each medicine
• Answers to your questions
• Next steps (e.g., "We’ll call you in two weeks to check your blood pressure" or "Your new prescription will be ready Friday")

Ask for a printed copy or email summary. Don’t trust your memory. If something changes-like a new dose or a medicine you’re stopping-write it down right after the appointment.

Some practices will send a letter to your GP or pharmacy. Keep a copy for yourself. If you see a specialist next month, bring it with you.

What happens if you don’t prepare

Skipping the prep means you’re risking your health.

You might keep taking a pill that’s no longer needed-and it could be harming your kidneys. You might miss a dangerous interaction between your painkiller and your blood thinner. You might not realize your sleepiness is from a medicine you’ve been on for years.

And practically? You might not get your next prescription. Practices like Godiva Group Practice NHS have clear rules: no review, no refills. It’s not punishment. It’s a safety net.

One woman in Bristol missed her review for six months. When she finally went in, she was taking three medicines that had been discontinued years ago. One of them was causing her to fall. That’s preventable.

Who can help if you’re struggling

If you can’t get to the clinic, ask about home visits. Some practices offer them for people with mobility issues.

If you’re overwhelmed by the list, ask a family member or friend to help you make it. You don’t have to do this alone.

Community pharmacies often offer free medication reviews-even if you didn’t get the prescription from them. Walk in, ask, and bring your pills. Many pharmacists will sit with you for 20 minutes, no appointment needed.

Final tip: Make it a habit

Don’t wait until you’re asked. Set a reminder in your phone for your next review. Keep your medicine list updated every time your prescription changes. If you start a new supplement, add it. If you stop a pill, cross it off.

Medication reviews aren’t a one-time event. They’re part of staying healthy. The more you do them, the more control you have over your body-and the less you have to wonder, "Is this still helping?"