A medication review is most useful when it turns a vague question—“Are these still right for me?”—into a short, structured conversation. The World Health Organization’s “5 Moments for Medication Safety” offers a practical way to prepare. The five moments are when starting, taking, adding, reviewing and stopping a medicine.

The framework is designed to help patients and caregivers ask focused questions and work with health professionals. It is not a substitute for clinical advice. Do not start, stop or change a prescribed medicine without speaking to the clinician or pharmacist responsible for your care.

1. Starting a medicine

Before the first dose, make sure you understand the purpose of the medicine, how and when to take it, and what to do if a dose is missed. Ask whether it interacts with medicines, supplements, alcohol or foods you already use. It is also worth confirming how long it may take before benefit is expected and which effects should prompt urgent help.

If the medicine has been prescribed after a recent hospital visit or a change in diagnosis, bring the discharge summary or treatment plan to the appointment. This helps the clinician see why the medicine was started and what follow-up was intended.

2. Taking a medicine

Everyday use often reveals questions that were not obvious at the start. You may notice that a schedule is difficult to follow, a tablet is hard to swallow or an unwanted effect is interfering with sleep, appetite or work. Record what happens, when it happens and whether it follows a particular dose.

Honest information is more useful than a perfect-looking record. If doses have been missed, say so. The solution may involve clearer instructions, a different timing plan, packaging support or another clinical decision—but that decision should be made with a qualified professional.

3. Adding a medicine

An “addition” includes more than a new prescription. Over-the-counter pain relievers, cold remedies, antihistamines, vitamins, herbal products and supplements can all matter. Similar ingredients may appear in more than one product, and a new item may change how an existing medicine works.

Keep one complete list that includes product name, strength, dose, timing and reason for use. Photographs of labels can help when exact details are difficult to remember. Share the same list with each clinician and pharmacist, particularly when several people are involved in your care.

4. Reviewing medicines

A review asks whether every item is still needed, effective and safe in the context of your current health. This is especially important after a hospital admission, when several medicines are used, when kidney or liver function changes, or when a new symptom appears.

Questions can include: What is each medicine for? Is the dose still appropriate? Are there duplications? Are monitoring tests due? Could any symptom be related to treatment? The aim is not to reduce the number at all costs. It is to make sure the overall plan still has a clear purpose and that benefits and risks remain acceptable.

5. Stopping a medicine

Some medicines can be stopped directly, while others may need a gradual reduction or additional monitoring. Abruptly stopping certain treatments can cause symptoms or allow a condition to worsen. Ask why stopping is being considered, what the plan is, what you might notice and who to contact if problems occur.

Confirm the change in writing where possible, and make sure outdated items are removed from every medication list. If you have leftover medicine, ask a pharmacist about safe disposal rather than sharing it or keeping it for unsupervised future use.

A one-page note for the appointment

• Your complete medication and supplement list, including doses and timing.
• Any allergies or previous serious reactions.
• New symptoms, missed doses or practical difficulties.
• Recent admissions, diagnoses or changes in kidney or liver health.
• The five questions you most need answered.

At the end of the review, repeat the plan back in your own words: what stays the same, what changes, when monitoring is due and whom to contact. This “check-back” can reveal misunderstandings before you leave.

Why these moments matter

Medication safety depends on good information moving with the patient across settings. The WHO highlights situations such as multiple medicines, high-risk circumstances and transitions of care because each can increase the chance of error. A prepared patient cannot carry the whole responsibility, but a clear list and focused questions make shared decisions easier.

The five moments provide a simple rhythm for that preparation. Use them whenever a medicine is started, taken, added, reviewed or stopped—and use the appointment to turn uncertainty into a documented plan.

Sources: WHO Medication Without Harm; WHO 5 Moments for Medication Safety.