How to Talk to Your GP About Medication Alternatives

Before Your Appointment

• Know exactly what medication, dose, and form you're currently taking
• Check MedWatch to understand which alternatives exist
• Note how much medication you have left
• Write down any previous adverse reactions to similar drugs

What to Ask Your GP

• "What alternative medications are available for my condition?"
• "Are there different brands of the same drug that might be in stock?"
• "Can I switch to a different strength to work around the shortage?"
• "Is there a different formulation (liquid, patch, etc.) available?"
• "How should we monitor the switch to make sure it's working?"

Important Notes

Some medications require careful switching — particularly epilepsy drugs, thyroid medication, and mental health medicines. Your GP should plan any switch carefully and arrange follow-up monitoring.

For most other medications, switching between brands of the same drug or to a similar drug in the same class is straightforward.