Italian Phrase
Continuo a prendere questo farmaco?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether they should keep taking a particular medication. It is a typical question a patient poses to a doctor, pharmacist, or even to themselves when reviewing a treatment plan.
When to use
Use this sentence in medical contexts – during a consultation with a doctor, a pharmacy visit, or when discussing a prescription with a caregiver. It can also appear in informal self‑talk when you’re unsure about continuing a drug regimen.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Continuoaprenderequestofarmaco?
Continuare (present indicative)
‘Continuo’ is the first‑person singular present indicative of ‘continuare’, meaning ‘I continue’ or ‘I keep doing…’.
a + infinitive
The preposition ‘a’ is required before an infinitive after ‘continuare’ to express the action that is being continued.
prendere (infinitive)
‘prendere’ means ‘to take’ (a pill, a bus, etc.) and is used here in its infinitive form.
questo (demonstrative adjective)
‘questo’ agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies – here ‘farmaco’ (masculine singular).
farmaco (masc. sing.)
A masculine singular noun meaning ‘medicine’ or ‘drug’.
Question intonation
In spoken Italian the rising intonation at the end of the sentence signals a question; the written form adds a question mark.
🗨In Conversation
Continuo a prendere questo farmaco?
Should I keep taking this medication?
Sì, finché non compaiono effetti collaterali.
Yes, as long as you don’t experience side effects.
✕Common Mistakes
Continuo prendere questo farmaco?
The preposition ‘a’ is required after ‘continuare’ before an infinitive.
Continuo a prendere questi farmaco
‘questi’ is plural; the noun ‘farmaco’ is singular, so use ‘questo’.
Continuo a prendere questo farmaci
‘farmaci’ is plural; keep the noun singular to match ‘questo’.
↔Alternatives
Devo continuare a prendere questo farmaco?
Do I have to continue taking this medication?
È necessario proseguire con questo farmaco?
Is it necessary to keep using this medication?
Posso proseguire con questo farmaco?
May I continue with this medication?
Cultural Tip
In Italy patients usually address health professionals with a polite tone, often prefacing the question with ‘Mi può dire…’ or ‘Per favore’. The word ‘farmaco’ is the formal term; in everyday speech people may also say ‘medicinale’ or simply ‘pillola’. Remember that asking about continuation shows active involvement in your own health, which is appreciated by Italian doctors.