Each year, adverse reactions to medications result in 700,000 emergency room visits, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The majority of these reactions are completely preventable. People who use prescription medications should be informed about the drugs they are taking to avoid accidents.
Safety tips:
• If you’re prescribed different medications from several doctors, make sure every doctor has a complete list of your medications and drug allergies. This is to avoid potentially dangerous medication interactions.
If possible, have only one doctor prescribe all your medications and have only one pharmacy fill them.
• When you go visit your doctor, bring a medication “brown bag” that contains all your current prescriptions and any over-the-counter medicines, supplements or herbs that you might be taking. This is more effective than relying solely on medical records. It gives your doctor the opportunity to review each medication with you.
• Always keep medications in a safe location away from young children.
• If you take multiple medications or have trouble remembering, arthritis or poor eyesight, use a pill organizer.
• Always read the pharmacy information on how to take the medication. Find out if certain medications need to be taken with food or on an empty stomach or if specific foods cause significant interactions.
• Never crush pills unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. There are some pills that have a special coating that regulates the rate the drug is released.
• Never change your prescribed treatment plan unless you doctor tells you to. This includes increasing, decreasing or discontinuing use of your medication without first consulting with your medical provider. Always report any side effects you feel to your doctor.
• Periodically organize your medications and discard any expired ones. Some medicines become toxic after their expiration date.
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