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CONSUMER-DRUG-SAFETY

• Safe-medication-use
• Counterfeit-medication
• Drug-safety
• Splitting-medication
• Drug-interaction
• Safety-kids
• Medication-samples
• Fda-drug-safety
• Generic-drugs
• Online-medication
• Medication-pregnancy
• Safety-seniors
• Fda-medwatch
• Medication-faq
• Reduce-error
• Tort-reform
• Drug-labeling

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Safe Medication FAQ

How important are expiration dates on prescription medications?

When medications expire, they often don't work as well. In fact, certain out-of-date medications may even be harmful. To ensure you don't accidentally consume an expired drug, clean out your medicine cabinet periodically and throw away any medications that have changed color or produced a residue, any aspirin or acetaminophen that has a strange smell or texture, and all expired eye drops. If you are unsure about the safety of a medication you own, it is important to speak with your doctor.

Does it matter where I keep my medicines?

Yes. Prescription medication should never be kept in a bathroom cabinet because humidity and heat may change the drug's chemical balance. It is always best to store medicines at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. However, some drugs must be refrigerated. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of how to store your medication. In addition, it is important to keep drugs in a safe area out of the reach of children.

How can I monitor my doses to ensure they're safe?

Typically, a doctor will prescribe a medication based on your age, weight, and the minimum amount that is necessary to treat your condition. It is extremely important to only take the recommended doses of any medication. Taking too little or too much of a prescription medication can be harmful. Furthermore, never share your prescription medication with anyone.

Can I take my medication with any liquid?

No. Some foods, drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and even tobacco can cause a negative reaction with certain medications. Usually, water is the safest liquid with which to take your medication. However, with some drugs like aspirin, water can upset the stomach, so it may be more tolerable to take with milk. In addition, some medications will be better absorbed into the body when taken with food. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the best way to take your medication.

Keep in mind that certain foods or drinks combined with certain drugs can cause potentially harmful side effects:

• Alcohol with antihistamine can cause increased drowsiness
• Alcohol with aspirin or acetaminophen can cause liver damage
• Caffeine with certain inhalers can stimulate the nervous system
• Foods with certain blood pressure drugs can decrease absorption
• Combining grapefruit with statin drugs can also produce adverse effects