Your medication was prescribed for you and only you
Prescription medications are powerful tools, but they only work safely when used exactly as directed. That means the right person, the right dose, the right duration.
Talk to Your Doctor
It's essential to know all of your treatment options before taking prescription medications. Play your part by asking your doctor or caregiver the right questions. Ask questions like:
- How am I supposed to take this medication?
- Are there safer alternatives?
- Is there a risk of dependency or addiction?
- What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Should I avoid anything while taking this medication?
- What is my plan to taper off?
Use It As Prescribed
Taking your medication correctly is just as important as the prescription itself. Do your part by using it exactly as directed.
That means:
That means:
- Follow the directions, as explained on the label.
- Be aware of possible drug interactions.
- Avoid mixing alcohol with medications.
- Never stop or change a dosing regimen without talking to your doctor.
- Never use another person's prescription and never give prescription medications to others.
- And finally, store prescription stimulants, sedatives, and opioids safely.
Never Share Your Prescription
Doctors look at a lot of things when prescribing medications for you, like your medical history and even your height and weight. You might think sharing medicine with family or friends is helpful, but you could be sharing things you never planned to.
Addictions
Some drugs have a danger of addiction – and some have a much higher risk than others, like opioids. Your doctor considers your health history and medical needs to make sure the risk of addiction is as low as possible. You may not know if someone is struggling with addiction before sharing your pills. Or they may have a family history of addiction, which puts them at higher risk for it. Don’t take that risk with someone else’s life.
Allergies
Groups of drugs that have similar properties are called a drug class. Someone who is allergic to one drug is likely to be allergic to other drugs in the same drug class. Your doctor uses your allergy history to decide which medicine is best for you. Who makes that decision if you share your pills? How do you know if someone is allergic to the same drug or class of drugs you’re taking?
Dosage
The wrong amount or dosage of a medication can cause serious side effects. Or the medicine may not work the right way. The dosage you need might not be right for someone else.
Drug Interactions
Drugs can have dangerous interactions with other things you’re taking. Your doctor considers these when prescribing medicine for you. But how can you be sure that something your family member or friend is taking won’t interact with it?
Pregnancy
Some medications can be dangerous during pregnancy. Serious pregnancy complications can happen if you take medicine that isn’t prescribed to you, such as birth defects and miscarriage. Call or text MotherToBaby if you have questions about medications during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Wrong Diagnosis
It’s easy to think the same medicine that helps you could also help others with the same symptoms. But many health problems have the same symptoms. What helps you might hurt someone else. Taking the wrong medicine could also mask a more serious health problem and keep the person you care about from getting medical care.