Medication Safety and Your Health

Medication Safety and Your Health

Though they can happen anywhere, medication errors often occur at home, and most can be easily prevented. Following these simple guidelines can help keep you and your family safe from some common medication errors.

Ask questions!
According to Doug DeRitis, PharmD/RPh, of Deborah Heart and Lung Center, the more you know, the better off you are. “Ask your doctor or pharmacist questions about your condition, and about the medications prescribed for it. Know what each medication is, what it looks like, how and when to take it, and what it will do to help you. The more you know about your medications, the less likely you are to make an error at home.”

Tell, tell, tell!
DeRitis states, “When your doctor prescribes a medication, be sure to tell him or her everything you’re taking, including prescriptions, herbal supplements, over-the-counter medications and vitamins. The more your doctor knows about what you take, the less likely he or she is to prescribe something that will react adversely with your current medications. When you go to your pharmacy to fill a prescription, also fully inform your pharmacist of other medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements you are taking.”

Stay with one pharmacy!
“Though many patients like to shop around for better prices, it is much safer to stay with one pharmacy,” DeRitis said. “That way, if a medication is prescribed to you that will react adversely with something you’re taking, it will “red flag” in their computer system. If some prescriptions are in another pharmacy, you may wind up with two medicines that shouldn’t be taken together.”

Keep track!
“Make a list of all medications you take, including prescriptions, herbal supplements, over-the-counter drugs and vitamins,” states DeRitis. “On that list, include dosage forms, the times they’re taken, how they’re taken, any known allergies, and the phone number of your pharmacy. Update changes immediately, and give a copy to a family member in case of an emergency.” Following these guidelines can help you prevent common medication errors.

Here are a few more ways to help keep you and your family safe from common medication errors and accidents at home:

Store prescriptions in their original pharmacy bottle; the labels contain vital information.

Keep all family members’ medications separate from each other.

Keep “pet” medications away from “people” medications.

Keep all medications away from children.

Keep ointments or creams away from toothpaste, as tubes can look or feel similar.

Store in a dry place (bathroom storage is not recommended; humidity from showers and baths can break down medications).

Flush old medications down the toilet – do not dispose in trash cans where kids or pets can find them.

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