Telehealth Medication Reviews: How to Prepare and What to Ask

When you’re managing multiple medications, a simple mistake can lead to serious health risks. Drug interactions, wrong doses, or unused pills piling up in your cabinet aren’t just inconvenient-they’re dangerous. That’s where telehealth medication reviews come in. These virtual check-ins with a pharmacist or doctor aren’t just a convenience-they’re a proven way to cut down on harmful side effects and keep your meds working the way they should. In 2024, 78% of U.S. healthcare systems offered them, and studies show they reduce adverse drug events by up to 35% in older adults. But here’s the catch: if you don’t show up prepared, you could miss the chance to catch a dangerous problem. This isn’t a casual chat. It’s a clinical review. And how you prepare makes all the difference.

What Exactly Happens in a Telehealth Medication Review?

A telehealth medication review isn’t just a video call where you say, “I’m taking my pills.” It’s a structured, evidence-based process designed to find hidden risks. A trained pharmacist-often one certified in medication therapy management-will go through every substance you’re taking: prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements, even creams and patches. They’ll cross-check your list against your medical history, lab results, and pharmacy records. Using clinical decision tools, they look for interactions, duplicate therapies, or medications that no longer make sense for your condition.

For example, if you’re on blood pressure meds and also take ibuprofen regularly, the pharmacist might spot that the NSAID is undoing your blood pressure control. Or if you’re taking five different pills for sleep, anxiety, and pain, they might find that three of them are sedating and could be increasing your fall risk. The whole session usually lasts 20 to 45 minutes. Afterward, the pharmacist sends a written report to your doctor with specific recommendations: stop one drug, switch another, adjust the dose, or schedule a lab test.

How to Prepare Before Your Appointment

You wouldn’t walk into a doctor’s office without your insurance card or a list of symptoms. The same applies here-but even more so. Telehealth reviews rely on what you bring to the screen. Missing details mean missed risks.

• Collect every medication. Gather all pills, capsules, liquids, patches, inhalers, and supplements. Don’t rely on memory. Put them all on a table in front of you. A 2023 study found that patients who displayed their actual meds during the call increased review accuracy by 37.4%.
• Write down the details. For each item, note the name, dose, how often you take it, and why you’re taking it. If you don’t know why, write that down too. Many patients are on drugs they can’t explain-and that’s a red flag.
• Bring your pharmacy list. Log into your pharmacy’s app or call them to get a printed or digital list of everything filled in the last six months. Pharmacies often have more complete records than your doctor’s office.
• Check your devices. Make sure your camera works, your internet is stable (at least 1.5 Mbps upload/download), and you’re using a HIPAA-compliant platform like Doxy.me or Zoom for Healthcare. Test it 10 minutes before your appointment. Glitches are common-and they cost you time.
• Prepare your questions. Write down three to five things you want to know. Don’t wait until the call to think of them. You’ll forget.

What to Ask During the Review

Don’t just listen. Ask. The pharmacist is there to help you understand, not just to check boxes. Here are the questions that matter most:

• “How will you make sure this list matches what’s in my pharmacy records?” About 43% of medication errors come from inaccurate lists. Pharmacists can pull your fill history, but only if you give them permission and the right info.
• “What changes are you recommending, and how will they get to my doctor?” Only 63% of telehealth services have automatic, standardized ways to send recommendations to primary care providers. If yours doesn’t, you might need to follow up yourself.
• “Are any of these drugs no longer necessary?” Many people stay on meds long after they’re needed-especially for pain, sleep, or anxiety. Stopping them safely can improve your energy, balance, and mental clarity.
• “What side effects should I watch for, and what should I do if they happen?” Some reactions take weeks to show up. Know what’s normal and what’s not. For example, if you’re on a new cholesterol drug and start feeling muscle pain, that could be serious.
• “Will you follow up with me if something changes?” Telehealth reviews reduce hospital readmissions by 22%, but only if there’s ongoing monitoring. Ask if you’ll get a call if your labs come back abnormal or if you refill a risky medication.

When Telehealth Medication Reviews Fall Short

They’re powerful-but not perfect. Some cases need more than a screen. If you have complex conditions like advanced dementia, severe psychiatric illness, or multiple chronic diseases that require physical exams (like checking for swelling, skin sores, or muscle weakness), a video call might miss critical signs. A 2021 study found that 17.3% of assessments were incomplete for patients with multiple comorbidities because the pharmacist couldn’t see or feel what was happening.

Also, if you’re over 75 and not comfortable with technology, you’re less likely to participate. One study showed only 32.7% of seniors without digital support joined telehealth reviews. That’s a gap. If you’re in this group, ask your family, caregiver, or local senior center for help setting up the tech. Many community health programs now offer free training.

And if you’re on controlled substances-like opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants-rules get stricter. As of January 2025, the DEA requires an in-person visit before you can get a new prescription for Schedule II drugs (like oxycodone or Adderall). After that, follow-ups can be virtual-but only every three months. For Schedule III-V drugs (like tramadol or Xanax), you can do everything remotely if your provider has a special telemedicine registration.

What Happens After the Review?

Don’t assume your job is done when the call ends. You need to take action.

• Get the summary. Ask for a written report via email or patient portal. It should list every change recommended and why.
• Follow up with your doctor. If your doctor hasn’t responded within a week, call their office. Don’t wait. Some changes need a new prescription or lab order.
• Update your list. If you stopped, started, or changed a dose, update your personal medication list right away. Keep it with you-on your phone, in your wallet, or taped to your fridge.
• Watch for changes. Pay attention to how you feel in the next two weeks. Did your energy improve? Are you sleeping better? Any new dizziness, nausea, or confusion? Report it.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

In 2025, the telehealth medication review market is worth nearly $4 billion-and growing fast. That’s because it works. It saves lives. A single review can prevent a hospital stay, a fall, or even a death. But it only works if you show up ready. You’re not just a patient. You’re the most important part of the team. The pharmacist can’t fix what they can’t see. You have to bring the truth-every pill, every side effect, every doubt.

Don’t wait until something goes wrong. If you’re on three or more medications, especially if you’re over 65, ask your doctor or pharmacist about a telehealth medication review. Schedule it. Prepare. Ask the hard questions. Your safety isn’t something you should leave to chance.