The Medication List Worth Bringing
A practical way to prepare your medication history, including the occasional tablets and supplements that are easy to forget.
Start with what you actually take
The question on the form looks small. Your bathroom cupboard may have a longer answer. Include medicines you take every day and the ones you reach for occasionally: an inhaler, allergy tablet, sleep aid or pain reliever. The ODA also asks patients to report vitamins, herbal products and other substances.[1]
Make the list before leaving home. Copy the name, strength and instructions from each label, or ask your pharmacist for a current medication list. If an item has recently changed, note that beside it. A photo you can read is more useful than remembering that the box was blue.
Explain reactions clearly
Keep allergies and previous reactions in a separate part of the note. Write what happened, roughly when, and which product was involved if you know. If you are unsure whether it was an allergy or a side effect, say exactly that. You do not have to classify it yourself.
Give the list to the dental team and ask whether anything needs discussion before treatment. Never stop a prescribed medicine to prepare for dentistry unless the clinician responsible for that decision tells you to. If instructions from two offices appear to conflict, ask them to clarify together before the appointment.