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• Common health questions
• Medicines

Medicines

Availability and supply

• Where can I get an emergency supply of medicine?
• What is the law on the sale of medicines?
• What is a controlled medicine (drug)?
• Can I pick up a prescription for someone else?

Children's medicines

• Can I give my child painkillers?
• What age can children buy over-the-counter (OTC) medicines?
• If my child has a fever, can I give them paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time?
• Can I give my child paracetamol or ibuprofen with cough or cold medicines?
• Is there a limit to how many vaccinations you can have?

Contraception and sexual health

• Can I get medication for erectile dysfunction (ED) on the NHS?
• Can post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) stop me getting HIV?

General

• Why do medications have brand names and generic names?
• How should I dispose of used needles or sharps?
• Can I crush medicines before taking them?
• How long does it take for antidepressants to work?
• How long will I be infectious after starting antibiotics?
• What are side effects?
• Why do medicines have expiry dates?

How and when to take your medicine

• What should I do if I miss a dose of antibiotics?
• Why shouldn't I use over-the-counter clotrimazole cream or pessary for thrush too often?
• Why can't hydrocortisone cream be used on the face?
• How should antidepressants be discontinued?
• Should I stop taking antiplatelet medicines such as aspirin before minor surgery?
• Can I crush medicines before taking them?
• Is there a limit to how many vaccinations you can have?
• Can I take medication before having a blood test?
• Why do medicines have expiry dates?

Interactions

• Can I take paracetamol or ibuprofen with cough or cold medicines?
• Can I take paracetamol and ibuprofen together?
• Can I take paracetamol if I'm on warfarin?
• Can I take paracetamol if I'm on antibiotics?
• Why must some medicines be taken on an empty stomach?
• Can I drink alcohol if I'm taking antidepressants?
• When can I drink alcohol after finishing metronidazole?
• Does cannabis interact with antidepressants or lithium?
• Why must some medicines be taken with or after food?
• Can I drink alcohol if I'm taking painkillers?
• Can I drink alcohol while taking antibiotics?
• How do I report side effects from a medicine?
• Can I crush medicines before taking them?
• Does grapefruit affect my medicine?
• If my child has a fever, can I give them paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time?
• Can I give my child paracetamol or ibuprofen with cough or cold medicines?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Can I take cough and cold remedies while I'm breastfeeding?
• Why do I need folic acid in pregnancy?
• Can I have travel vaccinations during pregnancy?
• Can I take hay fever medicine during pregnancy?
• Are complementary therapies safe during pregnancy?
• Can I take cod liver oil supplements when I’m pregnant?
• Can I take paracetamol when I'm pregnant?
• Can I take ibuprofen when I'm pregnant?
• Can I take paracetamol while I'm breastfeeding?
• Can I take hay fever medicine if I'm breastfeeding?
• Can I take ibuprofen while I’m breastfeeding?
• Can I take anti-malaria medication if I'm pregnant?
• Can I take anti-malaria medication if I'm trying for a baby?

Prescriptions

• Are pregnant women entitled to free NHS prescriptions?
• Who can write a prescription?
• How long is a prescription valid for?
• Can I pick up a prescription for someone else?
• Where can I get a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)?
• What is a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)?
• How should my prescribed medication be labelled?

Regulation and legal issues

• Does my child have the right to refuse treatment?
• What age can children buy over-the-counter (OTC) medicines?
• What is the law on the sale of medicines?
• What is a controlled medicine (drug)?
• How do I report side effects from a medicine?
• Can I pick up a prescription for someone else?
• How should my prescribed medication be labelled?
• What are side effects?

Travel and medicine

• Can I have travel vaccinations during pregnancy?
• Where can I get an emergency supply of medicine?
• Which travel vaccinations are free?
• Which vaccinations do I need to travel abroad?
• Can I take my medicine abroad?
• Where can I get travel vaccinations?
• Can my GP prescribe extra medication to cover my holiday?
• Can I take anti-malaria medication if I'm pregnant?
• Can I take controlled medicines abroad?
• Can I take anti-malaria medication if I'm trying for a baby?

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