Medicine Mistakes: Common Prescription Complications

Medications can be dangerous to your health. There are many preventable complications that affect people on a regular basis. Most cases could have been prevented with knowledge. Know your medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about drug interactions.

Buying Prescriptions Online

Buying prescriptions online may seem easy, convenient, and cheap. However, there are many things you should consider before purchasing a product from a website. Drugs from overseas may not be what they seem. Most do not have regulations on what is sold. The ingredients listed may not necessarily be what is in the actual pill or liquid.

Only use pharmacies that you are familiar with. Most drug store chains, such as CVS, offer prescription services online. Never buy from a source that does not require a prescription.

Taking Someone Else's Prescription

Not only is taking someone else's prescription hazardous to your health, it can also cause legal trouble. Having some medication without a prescription can land you a trip to jail.

All prescriptions are not the same. Physicians take each individual into account when prescribing a certain dose. What works for someone else, may not work for you. In fact, it can be harmful. Doses are prescribed based on the patient's age, weight, and condition, among other factors. Even if you have been prescribed the same medication in the past, someone else's prescription may be too strong or too weak. Often, different health conditions have common symptoms. Just because your symptoms are the same as someone else, it does not mean you have the same health issue.

Saving leftover medication is never a good idea. Drugs have expiration dates and lose their potency over time. Also, previous medications used for bacterial infections will not work on viral infections.

Alcohol

Alcohol often intensifies the effect of a drug and causes drowsiness. You should always read prescription labels carefully. Drinking can also make symptoms worse.

Overdosing

Overdosing is a very common and serious complication of prescription drugs. Always check the label for proper dosing instructions. Never take more than the recommended dose.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal medicine can interact with other traditional drugs. This can cause side effects and can also interfere with the medication's effectiveness. Always let your doctor know every medication you are taking. Even herbal treatments that do not seem harmful may cause serious complications.

There are many other mistakes that people commonly make when taking a prescribed medication. You should always talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.

Other medicine mistakes include:

Taking medication with or without food

Taking medication at different times of each day

Mixing medications

Wrong prescription

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about all medications you take. Often, drugs can become harmful if mixed with other prescription or over-the-counter medications. Read each label carefully.

Knowledge is the best way to prevent a medicine mistake!