How Often Will I Need to Take a Remedy?
Your homeopath will determine when you need to take a remedy based on your progress. She will decide whether or not to repeat or to change your remedy. It is important that you return for your scheduled appointments at specified intervals, even if you are doing well, so that your practitioner can carefully evaluate your progress and see if a new remedy or potency is needed. Follow-up appointments are usually scheduled every one to six months, depending on how you are doing. If, for some reason, it is impossible for you to return for a follow-up visit, at least write to your homeopath so she knows what is happening with you and how the remedy has affected you. Many homeopaths are willing to do phone interviews if an in person visit is not possible.

Do not be surprised if your homeopath decides to wait weeks or months before prescribing another remedy. More harm is likely to be done by giving a remedy too soon than by waiting too long, or by changing the remedy before the first remedy has completed its action.

Prescription Drugs and Homeopathy
If you are taking prescription drugs when you first see a homeopath, he may prescribe the homeopathic remedy in low potency daily doses. This often involves a delicate balance of gradually decreasing the dosage of your prescription medication as your symptoms are improving, with the guidance of the prescribing physician. If you have taken thyroid medications for years or are on heart medication or insulin, you will probably need to remain on these medications, as your physician prescribes them, for the rest of your life, with or without homeopathic treatment. Another alternative is to wait to begin your remedy until the medications are stopped so that there will be no confusion between the results of starting the remedy and stopping the prescription drug. This requires coordination between the patient, the homeopath, and the prescribing physician.

Some homeopaths will not treat patients on allopathic drugs, because they think that prescription medications make the prognosis less favorable. The majority of homeopaths, however, will treat you despite the drugs you are taking. Certain drug may not be compatible with homeopathic treatment, including antibiotics, steroids and chemo-therapeutic drugs when used on an ongoing basis. Any medication that suppresses the symptoms the body is trying to express is likely to interfere with homeopathic treatment. The two treatments may work at cross purposes. One example of this is the use of birth control pills specifically to treat irregular periods and menstrual discomfort. By preventing ovulation, the real symptoms of menstruation may be masked, making the task of finding the correct homeopathic remedy difficult or impossible. The same is true if you are taking drugs to suppress a discharge or a skin eruptions. This may be the outlet that your body needs for healing and these drugs may thwart that process.

Will I Have to Take a Homeopathic Remedy Forever?
Yes and no. As long as you are well, or in the process of changing for the better, you will not need a remedy for months or even years. Homeopathy makes you more resistant to disease, but life is stressful and you may not stay well forever, even if your homeopathic treatment has been effective. If you develop new symptoms or your old symptoms return, it is important to check in with your homeopath to see if you need to be treated again. Many patients who are treated homeopathically are so satisfied that they continue to use homeopathy for the rest of their lives.