In any given week, half of U.S. adults will use a prescription medicine. With all the beneficial effects that pharmaceutical products can provide, most prescription medications also carry a certain amount of unwanted effects. Most are minor, however some can be serious or even life threatening. In fact, each year approximately 700,000 Americans make a trip to the hospital emergency room because of bad drug reactions.
As a consumer of medications, you should be aware of potential risks related to any medication you may be taking. By understanding these risks you can be more vigilant in reporting any noticeable side effects to your healthcare provider. You should also understand that prescription medications often interact with over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements and can cause a bad reaction.
Safety Guidelines to Remember:
• When picking up your prescription, ask your pharmacist about all safety risks related to your medication and inform them about any other drugs you might be taking.
• Report any side effects to your healthcare provider. Adjusting doses or switching to other drugs can sometimes prevent side effects.
• Remember that stopping medications abruptly may do harm, so talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you notice any negative side effects.
Contributed by Barry Patel, Pharm. D., member of the of MHWC Medical Advisory Board and President of Total Therapeutic Management, Inc.
