7 Common Mistakes People Make Using Medications, and How To Avoid Them

Over 100,000 Americans die or are injured each year as a result of taking the wrong medicines—or taking them the wrong way. Here’s what you can do to prevent harm:

Taking the Wrong Medication:
• Make sure you keep a list of your medications and herbal treatments that is up-to-date.
• Make sure both your doctor and your pharmacist have an up-to-date-copy, and have read it.
• Make sure both your physician and your pharmacist give you the same instructions on using your medications.
• Always take your medications with the lights on, and be sure you know what your pills should look like.
• Never take any one else’s medications, even if they are for the same ailment.
• Never put medications in other bottles, or mix medications together in the same bottle.

Taking the Wrong Dosage:
• Be sure to read the label of any medication or herb.
• When taking any medication, follow the instructions on the bottle label, unless your pharmacist tells you differently.
• Also read the printed informational insert that comes with any new medication, and with most herbal supplements.
• With herbs, try to buy standardized products with a dosage recommendation, unless you have done enough research to feel confident that you know how to use tinctures or teas.
• Report any adverse reactions to your doctor or pharmacist. If you can’t reach them, and your symptoms are severe, call an emergency room advice nurse or go to a hospital emergency room.
 

Taking Medication the Wrong Way:
To avoid taking your medications the wrong way, you should know the answer to these questions:

1.What does it look like?
2. What am I taking it for?
3. How much should I take?
4. How often should I take it?
5. When is the best time to take it?
6. Should I take it on an empty stomach or with food?
7. How long will I need to take it?
8. What side effects might occur?
9. What should I do if side effects occur?
10. What should I do If I miss a dose?
11. Does this medication interact with my other medications or any foods?
12. Does this replace anything else I was taking?

Taking the Wrong Combination of Medication, Food or Herbs: Be absolutely certain what herbs can be taken with what medications, and which of these need to be taken with food.

Storing Medication or Herbs the Wrong Way:
• Your kitchen countertop or bathroom medicine cabinets are not the right places for your medications, herbs, or vitamins. Heat and light can alter or degrade their chemical composition.
• Keep medications in a cool, dry place, out of sunlight.
• Store medications and herbs where children can’t see or reach them.

Forgetting Whether You Took Your Medication:
• If this is a problem for you, try using a small diary to check off your daily dosages. These diaries can even be found in pharmacies, stationary stores, and even in digital form, for computers or PDAs.

Not Knowing When to Stop:
• Prescription medication addiction has become epidemic. This is especially true with pain killers, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications, and central nervous system stimulants.
• Always ask your prescribing physician how long you should take a medication.
• Stop medications when your course of treatment is over.
• If you feel you need the prescription medication after your course of treatment, discuss with your physician or pharmacist the possibility that you might become habituated to the drug.

Remember, your pharmacist is trained to be your professional partner in helping to avoid errors with medication. Establish a good relationship with him or her, and make sure she or he has a record of all your medications and herbal supplements.