7 Reasons to Review Your Medications with Your Doctor

A medication review with your doctor is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your prescriptions safe and effective. Even if nothing seems wrong, changes in your health, new diagnoses, or added supplements can make a once-safe regimen risky. Regular medication reconciliation catches those problems before they cause harm.

According to Dr. Suzanne Salamon, a geriatrician and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, "We are required to do a medication 'check-up' at every visit, regardless of the specialty, which means that every clinician who sees you is supposed to review your medications and check off a box." This process is also known as "medication reconciliation" or "med rec" in healthcare settings. However, sometimes things change between visits, and it's up to you to schedule an appointment for a medication review.

When to Schedule a Medication Review

Here are seven reasons why you may need to schedule a medication review with your doctor:

1. New Symptoms or Side Effects: If you experience any new or worsening symptoms or side effects after starting a new medication or changing the dose of an existing one, it's essential to inform your doctor promptly.

2. Changes in Your Health: If you've been diagnosed with a new health condition, had surgery, or experienced significant changes in your health status, your medications may need to be adjusted accordingly.

3. Taking Multiple Medications: The more medications you take, the higher the risk of drug interactions and adverse effects. Regular reviews can help identify and prevent potential problems.

4. Aging: As you age, your body's ability to process and respond to medications may change, requiring dose adjustments or alternative treatments.

5. Lifestyle Changes: If you've made significant changes to your diet, exercise routine, or other lifestyle factors, your medications may need to be re-evaluated.

6. Difficulty Managing Medications: If you're having trouble remembering to take your medications or experiencing difficulty swallowing pills, your doctor may be able to simplify your regimen or suggest alternative forms of medication.

7. Annual Check-Up: Even if you haven't experienced any changes or problems with your medications, it's a good idea to review them with your doctor at least once a year during your annual check-up.

What to Expect During a Medication Review

During a medication review, your doctor will:

• Review all the medications you're currently taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements

• Check for any potential drug interactions or adverse effects

• Assess whether your medications are still appropriate and effective for your current health needs

• Discuss any concerns or questions you may have about your medications

• Make any necessary adjustments to your medication regimen, such as changing doses, stopping certain drugs, or prescribing new medications

It's essential to be open and honest with your doctor about all the medications you're taking, including any you may have obtained from other sources or started taking on your own. Bringing a list of all your current medications, along with their doses and frequency, can help ensure a thorough and accurate review.

Your medication regimen is never set in stone. Regular medication reconciliation with your doctor ensures every drug you take is still the right choice for where your health is today. If anything has changed — a new diagnosis, a new supplement, or a side effect you've been ignoring — now is the right time to schedule a review. Doctronic's AI doctor can help you prepare a complete medication list and flag potential concerns before your appointment.

For more information on medication safety and managing your prescriptions, visit:

• FDA: Medication Safety Tips for Older Adults

• American Family Physician: Deprescribing Medications in Older Adults

• Consumer Reports: How to Avoid Common Medication Mistakes

How Medication Reconciliation Reduces Your Risk

Medication reconciliation — the formal process of comparing your current medications against new prescriptions or care transitions — is more than a paperwork exercise. It is one of the most effective tools clinicians have for preventing medication errors, and it matters just as much outside the hospital as inside it.

When you switch providers, get discharged from a hospital, or simply add an over-the-counter supplement to your routine, your medication list can quietly become inconsistent or even dangerous. Duplicate therapies, dose mismatches, and unrecognized drug interactions can all develop in the gaps between visits — often without any obvious warning sign.

Here is why a structured reconciliation process makes a real difference:

Polypharmacy risk goes up fast. Taking five or more medications significantly increases the chance that at least one combination will cause an adverse effect. A reconciliation review identifies those overlapping risks and gives your doctor a chance to simplify your regimen.

Supplements and OTC drugs count too. Vitamins, herbal products, and common pain relievers interact with prescription drugs in ways that many patients don't expect. For example, high-dose fish oil can affect blood clotting, and St. John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and certain heart medications. A full reconciliation captures everything — not just the drugs on your pharmacy label.

Transitions of care are a high-risk moment. Leaving a hospital or starting care with a new specialist is when medication errors most commonly slip through. Studies consistently show that a significant share of post-discharge adverse drug events are preventable with a thorough medication review at the point of transition.

Your body changes; your medications may need to as well. Kidney and liver function decline gradually with age, which changes how your body processes certain drugs. A dose that was appropriate at 50 may be too high at 70. Reconciliation reviews at least annually — and more often if your health is actively changing — help ensure your doses stay calibrated to your current physiology.

If you want to come to your next appointment fully prepared, Doctronic's AI doctor can walk you through your current medications, help you build a complete and accurate medication list, and surface questions worth raising with your provider. A few minutes of preparation can make your medication review far more productive.

The Bottom Line

Schedule comprehensive medication evaluations at least annually or whenever starting new treatments, as drug interactions and changing health status can turn beneficial medications into dangerous ones. Bring all prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter products to these appointments for complete assessment. If you're experiencing unexplained symptoms or have questions about your current medications, Doctronic can provide personalized guidance on potential interactions and optimization strategies.