M9-12 ONLY Key Counseling Points

Refer to specific product labeling for administration details.

Insulin product

Monitor blood glucose in frequent intervals (2-4 times/d); if <70 mg/dL, eat non-sugar-free candy, glucose tablets, or drink a glass of juice and contact prescriber.

Insulin product

Store unopened vials in refrigerator. Keep open vials at room temperature if it is painful to inject cold insulin.

Insulin product

Dispose needles in sharps container. Do not share needles (risk of transmission of infectious diseases). Rotate injection sites.

Insulin product

Inject subq into the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen; rotate injection site each week. Administer once weekly on the same day each week, without regard to meals or time of day.

Dulaglutide

Administration day can be changed as long as at least 3 d have passed. Keep refrigerated, but is stable at room temperature for 14 d.

Dulaglutide

If using concomitantly with insulin, administer as separate injections (do not mix); may inject in the same body region as insulin, but do not administer both agents directly adjacent to one another.

Dulaglutide

Be aware of symptoms of thyroid cancer (e.g., lump in neck, trouble breathing or swallowing), hypoglycemia (e.g., dizziness, sweating, anxiety), and kidney problems (e.g., decreased urination, blood in urine) and report to HCP.

Dulaglutide

Monitor blood glucose periodically (typically daily, more frequently if administered with sulfonylurea or insulin. If <70 mg/dL, eat non-sugar-free candy, glucose tablets, or drink a glass of juice and contact prescriber.

Liraglutide

Administer in upper arm, thigh, or abdomen. Change needle for each injection; do not share pens, even if needle is changed.

Liraglutide

If also using insulin, administer with separate injection in a nonadjacent area. Can be injected without regard to meals.

Liraglutide

Take tablets in the morning, at least 30 min prior to food or other medications. Take with only plain water and do not crush or chew.

Semaglutide

Inject subcutaneously into the fatty part of skin in abdomen, thigh, or upper arm on the same day each week. Do not re-use or share needles and discard into a sharps box.

Semaglutide

A dietary plan, weight management, and exercise are critical components for managing diabetes and weight loss and should be employed in conjunction with this medication.

Semaglutide

Take before the first meal of the day to help reduce post-meal hyperglycemia. Take without regard to food.

Dapagliflozin

Be aware of symptoms of dehydration, including dizziness, low BP, and decreased urination, and urinary tract infections and report them to a health care provider.

Dapagliflozin

Take in the morning with or without food. A dietary plan, weight management, and exercise are critical components for managing diabetes.

Empagliflozin

Take with food or milk in the morning.

Glimepiride

Use sunscreen and avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Do not drink alcohol because it may cause a disulfiram reaction.

Glimepiride; Glipizide

Talk to a health care provider about dose reductions or holds if NPO for a procedure or with decreased caloric intake.

Glimepiride; Glipizide

Take 30 minutes before the morning meal.

Glipizide

Take with meals. The extended-release tablet may be administered with food in the evening.

Metformin HCl

Drink plenty of liquids to improve elimination. Avoid alcohol because this increases the risk of lactic acidosis.

Metformin HCl

Take with meals. The extended-release tablet may be administered with food in the evening. Drink plenty of liquids to improve elimination. Avoid alcohol because this increases the risk of lactic acidosis.

metformin hydrochloride; sitagliptin phosphate

Monitor blood glucose at frequent intervals, 2 to 4 times daily. Take with the morning meal if dosed once daily. Take with the morning and evening meal if dosed twice daily. When used in combination with insulin or sulfonylureas, risk of hypoglycemia may be increased.

metformin hydrochloride; sitagliptin phosphate

Seek care for bone pain, yellowing of skin or eyes, eye pain, or shortness of breath.

Pioglitazone

Monitor blood glucose at frequent intervals, 2 to 4 times per day. May take without regard to food. May require several weeks for maximum effect.

Pioglitazone

Monitor blood glucose at frequent intervals, 2 to 4 times daily. When used in combination with insulin or sulfonylureas, risk of hypoglycemia may be increased.

Sitagliptin phosphate

Take with the morning meal if dosed once daily. Take with the morning and evening meal if dosed twice daily.

Sitagliptin phosphate

Report abnormal vaginal bleeding or signs/symptoms of a thromboembolic disorder.

Vision changes or disturbances, migraine, or double vision.

estradiol

Do not smoke during therapy, as this increases the risk of thromboembolic events.

estradiol

Take on an empty stomach, with water at least 30 min before food.

Levothyroxine

May require 6-8 weeks for symptomatic improvement. Avoid abrupt discontinuation.

Levothyroxine

Avoid antacids and iron within 4 h of dose. Variations can be observed with different formulations/products, it is recommended to avoid switching between different products.

Levothyroxine

Can be taken with or without food. Contact HCP if signs of infection or yellowing of the skin.

methimazole

If the ring-free interval has been extended beyond 7 d or if the vaginal ring has been left in place for >4 wk, an additional form of contraception must be used until the vaginal ring has been used continuously for 7 d.

ethinyl estradiol; etonogestrel

If the vaginal ring is inadvertently expelled or removed, it may be rinsed in cool to lukewarm water and reinserted as soon as possible, at latest within 3 h

ethinyl estradiol; etonogestrel

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. You make take it with or without food.

norethindrone

Take this medication at the same time each day. Try not to miss a dose. Every time you miss a dose or take a dose late your chance of pregnancy increases.

norethindrone

When 1 pill is missed (even if only 3 hours late), take the missed pill as soon as possible and continue taking a pill each day at the regular time (use a back-up method of birth control for the next 48 hours).

norethindrone

If more than 1 dose is missed, use an additional birth control method for the rest of your pill pack until menses occurs. Contact your care team if more than 1 dose has been missed.

norethindrone

Take oral capsule at bedtime. If using for amenorrhea, menstrual bleeding should occur 3-7 d after last oral dose.

progesterone

Report if menstruation does not occur within 7 d after last dose. For vaginal formulation, avoid using other vaginal drugs within 6 h before or 6 h after using progesterone.

progesterone

Swallow the non-effervescent tablet whole with a large glass (240 mL) of plain water only.

alendronate

Dissolve 1 effervescent tablet in 120 mL of room temperature plain water only; once effervescence stops, wait ≥5 min and stir the solution for ~10 s and then drink.

alendronate

Remain upright at least 30 min after swallow the tablet before you eat or drink anything or take any other medicines. This will help your body absorb the medicine.

alendronate

Do not lie down for at least 30 min after taking this medicine, and do not lie down until after you have eaten some food.

alendronate

Seek medical attention if shortness of breath, swelling, chest pain, vaginal bleeding, blistering rash, rapid weight gain, severe nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Anastrozole

Take with or without food. Because anastrozole lowers level of estrogen, it can lead to loss of BMD and increased fracture risk.

Anastrozole

Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid touching or handling this medicine. This medicine can get into the body through the skin and may prevent development of genitalia in an unborn male baby.

Finasteride

For hair loss, 6 mo or longer may be needed before effect seen. For an enlarged prostate, 12 mo may be needed for full effect.

Finasteride

Pregnant women should also avoid semen from a man taking this med. Report shortness of breath, breast swelling, or breast mass to HCP.

Finasteride

May take without regard to food. Tablet should not be crushed, chewed, or divided.

Mirabegron

Patients taking the oral suspension should co-administer with food. Advise patients to shake oral suspension well before use.

Mirabegron

Monitor BP and HR and contact HCP for fast heartbeat or elevations in BP, bladder irritation, or difficulty urination.

Mirabegron

This drug may cause anticholinergic effects, including constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, dyspepsia, or xerostomia.

Oxybutynin

Heat prostration (due to decreased sweating) can occur when used in a hot environment.

Oxybutynin

Virilization has been reported in children who were secondarily exposed to testosterone gel (coming in contact with bare skin around gel application site).

Testosterone (GEL SPECIFIC)

Should be allowed to dry completely; swimming and showering should be avoided for 5-6 h after application. Patients should keep application site covered, as direct skin contact can transfer drug to others.

Testosterone (GEL SPECIFIC)

To be applied to clean, dry, intact skin of the shoulders and upper arms and/or abdomen but should not be applied to genitals.

Testosterone (GEL SPECIFIC)

Male patients should report too frequent or persistent erections. Female sexual partners of patients using drug should report male like changes.

Testosterone

Do not use higher doses than you have been prescribed, or combine with other anabolic steroids, serious adverse effects can occur. Seek medical attention if chest pain, shortness of breath, signs of stroke, or behavioral changes.

Testosterone

Administer 30 min after same meal daily as fasting increases bioavailability by 30%.

Tamsulosin hydrochloride

Avoid activities requiring coordination until drug effects are realized, as drug may cause vertigo or dizziness.

Tamsulosin hydrochloride

Rise slowly from a sitting/lying position, as this drug may cause orthostatic hypotension. Syncope or loss of consciousness is possible with 1st dose or dose increases, especially if in an upright position.

Tamsulosin hydrochloride