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2 minute read
Eumundi Voice Issue 111, 20 February 2025
HEALTH
What’s in my medicine?
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You know the little, tightly folded pamphlet that is included in your medicine packet, that’s in an eye-watering tiny print size? Well, help is at hand to make it easier to get the information.
You can ask your pharmacist to provide a Consumer Medical Information (CMI) leaflet or download one from the Australian Government’s website called NPS Medicinewise which has a section called Medicine Finder. Simply type in the brand name or the active ingredient and get accurate and useful information about the medication.
The site is hosted by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Descriptions are prepared by manufacturers, so NPS MedicineWise is not responsible for the content. Large text versions are also available …so no more squinting at the little folder leaflet.
Alternatively, for those without access to a computer, you can call the Medicines Line on 1300 MEDICINE during business hours and speak to a pharmacist to access information about prescription and over-the-counter medicines. It’s important to find out about your new medicine and revise the information about one you may have been taking for a while.
Your doctor will have explained the purpose of your medicine and determined whether it’s right for you … but we all forget or misremember especially when we take a few different medications, so it’s good to do your own review as well.
This type of review is not self-diagnosis, and it’s not a Dr Google search for symptoms – it’s a way to contribute to looking after yourself by taking an active interest in your health.
For example, I was prescribed Clonac for arthritis. Its active ingredient is diclofenac sodium. The site lists what Clonac is used for (arthritis is one), when you must not take it (e.g. hypersensitive to aspirin), how you must check with your doctor if you are taking any other medications on the list (e.g. ibuprofen), symptoms of allergic reactions (e.g. swelling of face), and a clear list of medical conditions (e.g. kidney problems) which means you should not take Clonac.
Visit nps.org.au and look for the Consumers tab, then Medicine Finder. Alternatively, request a CMI from your local pharmacist or call the Medicines Line on 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424).