Medicines: Using Them Safely

To make sure that you use medicines safely and know how to store them, follow these guidelines:

Do:

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you take. This includes shots, medicines that you take by mouth, and medicines that put in your eyes or on your skin. This is very important when your provider prescribes a new medicine. You may end up taking too many medicines. Some medicines change the way other medicines work.
Tell each health care provider about drug or food allergies you may have. Make sure they know about any other medical treatments you are receiving.
Keep medicines in their original containers unless you use a "dose-reminder" box. These boxes can help you see at a glance if you have taken your medicine for the day. Make sure that you take the right amount of medicine at the right time.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Keep medicines for emergencies in a place where you can find them easily.
Keep medicines that are to be used on the skin separate from medicines taken by mouth. Medicines used on the skin use may be poisonous if you swallow them.
When you get a new prescription from your health care provider, be sure you ask:
- What is the name of this medicine and what is it supposed to do?
- How do I take it?
- What should I do if I forget a dose?
- How long will I be on this medicine?
Ask if you should avoid any foods, drinks, or activities while taking certain medicine.
Try to fill all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy so that the pharmacist can check for drug interactions.
Always double-check the directions about how to take all medicines before you take them. Check for warnings on the labels of nonprescription medicines. Some nonprescription drugs should not be taken when you have certain medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart problems, or high blood pressure). Ask your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Ask your health care provider or pharmacist about side effects of medicines and what to do if they occur. Tell your provider if you have symptoms soon after you start taking a new medicine. You can have a bad reaction to a medicine the first time you take it or after taking it for years. You can be allergic to some medicines. In severe cases, reactions to medicines can be fatal. Talk with your provider if any symptom, such as vomiting, breathing problems, headache, confusion, or drowsiness is severe or long-lasting.
Tell your provider if you drink alcohol. The use of alcohol may worsen side effects of your medicines.
When you refill a prescription, check with your pharmacist if the medicine looks different in color, size, or shape.

Don't:

Do not put different medicines in one container. The directions for each medicine may be different.
Do not store medicines in a bathroom. The heat and humidity in the bathroom may damage the medicine. Keep medicines in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Check the label to see if you need to store the medicine in the refrigerator.
Do not take medicines from unlabeled containers.
Do not keep medicines on a bedside table (except emergency medicines such as nitroglycerin). You may take the wrong medicine or wrong dose when you are not fully awake or alert. Do not take medicines in the dark.
Do not use medicines that are old or that are beyond the expiration date on the label. Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicines.
Do not change the dosage or stop taking any prescription medicine without your health care provider's approval. The medicine may not work at a lower dosage. A higher dosage may cause more side effects. Take medicines exactly as prescribed.
Do not share prescription medicines with others, even when they seem to have the same symptoms. What may be good for you may be harmful to others.

Taking a lot of different medicines can be confusing. It can be hard to keep track of when to take each one and how much to take. Some medicines can change the way other medicines work. Using some medicines together might cause harmful side effects. A medicine prescribed for one medical problem may make another condition worse. A new symptom may be caused by a drug reaction.

You should not change the dosage or stop taking any prescription medicine without your health care provider's approval. However, if you have concerns, ask your provider if you could:

Try diet or exercise instead of starting a new medicine.
Take a lower dosage.
Safely stop taking any medicine.

If you are unable to fill a prescription because of its cost, talk with your provider. There may be a less costly generic medicine that you could take instead. You may qualify for some programs that provide the medicine at no or lower cost. Ask your provider or pharmacist to help you with this.

When used properly, medicines can be useful or even life-saving. Using them the wrong way, however, may be dangerous. Make sure you follow directions and take your medicines safely.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File AGI3031F.HTM Release 9.0/2006