MEDICATION SAFETY

Medicines are a great benefit to our lives. They may relieve pain or cure illness. However, it is important to use medicines as directed. Many may be very dangerous if used improperly. Growing older changes how the body absorbs and uses medicines.

If you think that a medicine is not working, contact your healthcare provider right away. Also let him know if it makes you feel funny, or if it's causing an unexpected or unpleasant side effect.

To ensure your health and safety, follow these medication safety tips:

Keep medications for emergencies in a place where you can find them easily.

Carefully follow the label instructions. Take only those prescription drugs that are prescribed for you. Avoid changing the dose of medications you are taking unless you talk with your provider. Never take someone else's medicine. Check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have any questions.

Make sure that your healthcare provider knows about all of the medications you take. This includes all prescription and non-prescription medicines. Some medications will not work or have dangerous side effects when taken with other medications. It can help your healthcare provider to make decisions about your healthcare if you take a list of all of the medications you are using, whether prescribed, over-the-counter, or off the street, with you at the time of being seen. Be sure to tell your provider about any allergies or reactions to medications you have had in the past.

Inform your healthcare provider of any alternative medicine, herbal remedies, or vitamins and minerals you are using. These substances have medicinal properties and may cause a reaction or serious interaction when used in combination or with prescription medicines.

Discard old medications you are no longer using. Flush them down the toilet. Also discard any medication if you can no longer read its label or if it is outdated.

Never mix medications in the same container.

If you cannot use child-resistant caps, be sure to keep all medicine containers away from children and pets.

Some nonprescription medicines are dangerous when taken in large quantities. Examples are aspirin and vitamin pills with iron. Before you take over-the-counter medications, check with your healthcare provider.

If you need glasses to read, be sure to wear them when taking medicine. This way you can be sure you have the right medicine. For the same reason, turn on the light when you take medicine at night. For patients with severe vision or memory problems, a responsible person can place daily medications in a container made especially for this purpose. Check with a local drug store to purchase this container.

Be sure to keep the phone number of your local poison control center handy. Call them with any questions you may have about medications, their effects, or about overdoses and accidental poisonings.

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.

HIL File PREV3391.rf2 VRS# 7857 Data Version 7.0