Thousands of people are given medicines in Sussex every week but how many know exactly what these pills and potions do and what they are for?

The tablets to control your underactive thyroid are on repeat prescription every three months and you take them religiously.

They appear to be working but what exactly are they doing and do you know if there are any side effects?

New research shows large numbers of people are happy with the amount of information they receive about what their medicine is for but half did not know enough about side effects.

Almost 120,000 people around England were questioned. In the Brighton and Hove area, 51 per cent of those who took part had been prescribed medicines by a GP surgery or health centre in the past year.

Of these, 48 per cent were happy with their level of involvement in the decision about which was the best medicine for them and 79 per cent said they were given enough information about the purpose of the medicine.

About 49 per cent felt they were given enough information about any possible side effects and 82 per cent were given enough information about how to use the medicine - the dosage, frequency, before or after eating, etc.

Seventy per cent had been back to their GP surgery to have their medicines reviewed, while about one-third had asked a pharmacist for some advice on medicines and 68 per cent found their advice useful.

But UK statistics show that although about 70 per cent of the population is on prescription or over-the-counter medicines at any one time, up to half of medicines for long-term conditions are not taken as prescribed and between 30 to 45 per cent of patients do not pick up repeat prescriptions.

Many patients on short-term medication depart from recommended doses within a day or two of starting their treatment.

The national Ask About Medicines (AAM) initiative aims to contribute to people's ability to control their own health and healthcare by encouraging better understanding of what medicines do and how to make the most appropriate use of them.

The scheme also aims to encourage health professionals to help medicine users ask questions about their medicines and become involved in decisions about the medicine they take.

The significant benefits include better results, more effective use of resources and less wastage.

The AAM campaign has devised a set of questions patients should ask when given a prescription:

What does this medicine do?

How long will I need to take it?

How and when should I take it?

Should I avoid any other medicines, drinks, foods or activities when I am taking this medicine?

What are the possible risks and side effects?

The Consumer Health Information Centre (CHIC) helps consumers understand more about their health.

In a survey conducted by CHIC in the past month, parents were asked how often they read their children's medicine labels. Nearly all (99 per cent) said they did.

CHIC says the news is encouraging but warn people they should read the label each time they use the medicine. Changing circumstances can mean different warnings apply or may mean the medicine is no longer suitable.

Some should not be taken during pregnancy and others are affected if the user is also taking over-the-counter medicines or herbal remedies.

CHIC spokesman Paul Stillman said: "Most people don't realise the safe use of medicines can depend on things like whether you are taking other medicines or suffering from conditions such as high blood pressure or if you are pregnant.

"As more research is done on medicines, new warnings may be added. Information on over-the-counter medicines is there to help people make sure they are taking the right amount of medicine for a safe length of time and in the right circumstances.

"Parents should pay attention to dosage as this often changes with age and sometimes adult medicines are not permitted for children. "

For more information about AAM, visit www.ask aboutmedicines.org Visit CHIC at www.CHIC.org.uk or call 02077 611803.