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.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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