Counselling points

Sit down, one dose under the tongue, repeat at 5 minutes — call 999 if no better 5 minutes after the second dose

Take simvastatin at night, avoid grapefruit juice, and report unexplained muscle pain

Expect a dry cough; report any swelling of the face, lips or tongue (angioedema) urgently

Carry the anticoagulant (yellow) book, keep regular INR checks, and report any unusual bleeding

No routine INR checks are needed, but never double up a missed dose — and report any bleeding

Use sun protection (phototoxicity lasts months), report breathlessness or a cough, and carry an alert card

Never stop long-term steroids suddenly — taper the dose, and increase it when acutely unwell (sick-day rules)

Take on an empty stomach with a full glass of water and stay upright for 30 minutes

Take on an empty stomach, well apart from iron, calcium and antacids which block its absorption

Never stop insulin when you are ill (sick-day rules) — and know how to treat a hypo

Unlike metformin it can cause hypoglycaemia — take with meals and learn to recognise a hypo

Take with food; stop temporarily if you become dehydrated or unwell, or before a contrast scan

Take before food, and review the need periodically rather than continuing indefinitely

It takes 2–4 weeks to work and may worsen anxiety at first; don't stop it suddenly

Short-term use only — it is sedating and causes dependence

Keep your fluid and salt intake steady, avoid NSAIDs, and report toxicity signs; carry a lithium card

Monitor weight and metabolic profile; report a high fever with muscle rigidity (NMS)

Highly teratogenic — it must not be used in pregnancy without the Pregnancy Prevention Programme

It is taken ONCE A WEEK (a daily dose is fatal); take folic acid on a different day

It prevents gout long-term and is not a painkiller — don't start it during an acute attack

Severely teratogenic — reliable contraception is mandatory (Pregnancy Prevention Programme)

Report any abnormal vaginal bleeding (endometrial cancer risk)

It works over months and halves the PSA; women who may be pregnant must not handle the tablets

It can permanently darken the iris and increase eyelash growth

Combination therapy — a long-acting patch plus a fast-acting form — works best; don't smoke alongside it

Know the missed-pill rules, and stop and seek advice if you develop migraine with aura

Counsel on the small increase in breast cancer and VTE risk, and on breast awareness

Inject subcutaneously, rotate the sites, and report unusual bleeding or bruising

Take in the morning to avoid night-time urination; report dizziness or cramps

Complete the full course; some have specific food or alcohol rules

Take with food; report indigestion or black stools, and use the lowest dose for the shortest time

Never take it with nitrates (dangerous fall in blood pressure); take about an hour before activity

Mild fever and a sore arm are normal; live vaccines are avoided in pregnancy and immunosuppression

Most drugs are compatible, but check each one — and take the dose just after a feed