Ask if it is important to be taken at the same time each day. You should know whether you just finish this bottle of pills, or is it supposed to be refilled. Some treatments are for a short course of treatment, but some medications you will probably be taking for the rest of your life. This is especially important to ask if you have had allergic reactions in the past. Alcohol may interfere with both the medications being used or the conditions being treated, in some cases alcohol in moderation is all right but with certain medicines all alcohol must be avoided.
Some medicine is more effective on either an empty stomach or when taken with food.
Some activities such as exercise or suntanning may need to be altered. It is important to read all labels on non-prescription items, even on drugs you have taken before. Almost all medications have side effects, but they can range from very serious to very minor, and also from those occurring commonly to those occurring only rarely. While your doctor or pharmacist cannot possibly tell you all the side effects, they should be able to warn you about the more common or the more serious side effects. Some side effects may decrease with time while others are bothersome enough to make you unable to continue your treatment.