Medication Errors: How to Take Medicines Safely

Medicines treat infections, prevent problems from chronic diseases and ease pain. Used incorrectly, they can also cause harmful reactions. Errors can happen in the hospital, at a health care provider's office, at the pharmacy or at home.

You can help prevent them in four ways.

1. Know your medicines

When you get a prescription, ask the medicine's name, and check that the pharmacy gave you the right one. Make sure you understand how often to take it and for how long.

2. Keep a list

Write down every medicine you take — its name, how much you take and when. Include:

• over-the-counter medicines;
• vitamins, supplements and herbs;
• medicines you are allergic to, or that have caused you problems before.

Take the list with you every time you see a health care provider.

3. Read the label and follow the directions

Do not rely on memory: read the label every time. Take special care when giving medicines to children.

4. Ask questions

If you do not know the answers, ask your health care provider or pharmacist:

• Why am I taking this medicine?
• What are the common side effects, and what should I do if I have them?
• When should I stop taking it?
• Can I take it with the other medicines and supplements on my list?
• Do I need to avoid certain foods or alcohol while taking it?

Sources

• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Medication Errors," drawing on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://medlineplus.gov/medicationerrors.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.