5 Medication Safety Tips for the New Year

Monday Morning Medication Safety Tip
Each week, Dr. Mike shares information on how to take your medications safely.

Drug errors are a common cause of hospitalization and deaths that can be prevented by understanding the safe use of medications. Following these tips is a good start to safely using your medications:

1. Keep a list of all the prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you take.
2. Keep your medication list updated and bring it with you to all appoinments with your doctor. Share the list with your pharmacist.
3. Use the same pharmacy to buy all of your medications so that a record of all your prescriptions will be in one place.
4. Read and save the patient information sheet that comes with your medication. It is often stapled to the bag from the pharmacy. If you do not get an information sheet, ask your pharmacist. If you do not understand the information sheet, ask the pharmacist or your doctor to explain the information.
5. If you are having side effects from your medication, tell your doctor. You may be able to take a different amount of the medication or your doctor may want to change your medication.

What do you think? Leave a comment below or in the Medication Forum.

To ask me a question about medication, email me at drugs.guide@about.com.

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