The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has comprehensive medication recall and safety information at www.fda.gov. Just search for “recalls” and click the link under “Best Bets.” The site also includes food and product recall information, and allows you to sign up for e-mail alerts and updates.

You can help avoid medication safety problems by asking exactly how and when to take a new medication that your physician prescribes. Other important questions include:

• When can I expect to feel better?
• When should I report back?
• Will the new medicine replace any other medicines I take?
• Should I avoid any drinks, foods, or other things while using it?
• How should I store the medicine?

—Rajeev Verma, Pharm.D., clinical pharmacist, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey