Medication and Prescribing: GP Reviewed Information
Medications play an important role in primary care, but prescribing is rarely straightforward. GPs consider symptoms, diagnosis, potential benefit, side effects, interactions, monitoring requirements, and whether medication is the most appropriate option at all.
This section of the AccessGP Knowledge Base explains how prescribing works in general practice and provides guidance on commonly used groups of medications. The articles focus on safe, evidence-based prescribing and aim to help patients understand why medicines are prescribed, what to expect once treatment starts, and when review or further assessment is needed.
What this Medication and Prescribing section covers
This section includes GP-reviewed information on:
- how prescribing decisions are made in primary care
- what private GPs can and cannot prescribe
- medication safety, side effects, and interactions
- repeat prescriptions and medication reviews
- monitoring and follow-up for commonly used medicines
- responsible prescribing of higher-risk medications
- commonly prescribed medication groups across different body systems
The content is designed to support understanding and shared decision-making. It does not provide dosing instructions and does not replace personalised medical advice.
Understanding prescribing in primary care
These articles explain the principles behind safe prescribing and what patients should expect when medication is started, reviewed, adjusted, or stopped.
Topics in this section include:
- How prescribing works in primary care and how GPs decide whether medication is appropriate
- What a private GP can and cannot prescribe, including controlled and specialist-only medicines
- Repeat prescriptions and medication reviews, including when repeats are not appropriate
- Medication safety, interactions, and allergies, including over-the-counter medicines
- Monitoring and follow-up, such as blood tests or checks required for certain medicines
- Side effects, including what is expected and which symptoms need urgent review
- Antibiotics and responsible prescribing, including antimicrobial resistance
- Steroids explained, including short courses and key risks
- Pain relief and dependence, including opioids and sedative medicines
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and medicines, including why advice may differ
These pages help explain why a GP may recommend medication in some situations and not in others, and why regular review is an important part of safe care.
Medication groups used in general practice
This section provides guidance on groups of medications commonly used in primary care, organised by clinical use rather than individual drug names. Each article explains what the medicines are typically used for, common examples, key safety considerations, monitoring needs, and when further review or specialist input is required.
Medication groups covered include:
- Heart and blood pressure medications
- Cholesterol and cardiovascular prevention medicines
- Blood thinners and antiplatelet medicines
- Respiratory medicines and inhalers
- Allergy medicines
- Diabetes and metabolic medicines
- Thyroid and endocrine medications
- Women’s health and hormonal medicines
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Men’s health medicines
- Mental health medications
- Sleep and sedation medicines
- Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medicines
- Neuropathic pain medicines
- Migraine medicines
- Gastrointestinal medicines
- Dermatology medicines used in primary care
- Infection-related medicines
- Urinary and prostate symptom medicines
- Vitamins, supplements, and deficiency treatment
Each article focuses on how these medicines are used in practice, common problems patients experience, and when reassessment is important.
How medication advice fits with GP care
Medication is often only one part of managing a health problem. In many cases, symptoms improve with time, lifestyle changes, or non-drug treatments. Where medication is used, regular review helps ensure treatment remains appropriate and safe.
If you have questions about a medication, side effects, monitoring, or whether treatment is still needed, a GP can help review your situation and advise on next steps.
Linking Medication and Prescribing to other Knowledge Base hubs
Many medication questions overlap with specific health topics. Where relevant, articles in this section link to other Knowledge Base hubs, for example:
- Common Infections and when antibiotics are, or are not, appropriate
- Heart Health for symptoms like chest discomfort, palpitations, and breathlessness
- Mental Health for stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and low mood
- Musculoskeletal Health for pain, mobility issues, and when examination matters
This helps you understand how decisions are made in real primary care consultations.
When to book a GP appointment
Speak to a GP if:
- you have concerns about a medication you are taking
- you experience side effects or unexpected symptoms
- you are unsure whether monitoring or review is needed
- your symptoms are not improving as expected
- you are uncertain whether medication is still appropriate
A private GP appointment allows time to explore your concerns and agree the most appropriate next step based on your situation.
Explore expert, GP-reviewed insights into your health across the AccessGP Knowledge Base.
If you would like to discuss general health, medications or any of the topics above, you can book an online GP appointment with AccessGP.
Last reviewed by Dr Zamiel Hussain, GMC registered GP
Updated: 6 February 2026