Tips On…Prescription Medication Safety

When taking prescription medications, always read pharmacy instructions and warning labels carefully. If you take multiple medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist about interactions.

Every person reacts differently to different medicines, and other factors may modify a drug’s effect. Adverse reactions to a drug can be mild—rash, headache, nausea or drowsiness—or severe—prolonged vomiting, bleeding, weakness, or impaired vision or hearing. If you have a problem or reaction, call your doctor immediately.

Tell Your Doctor:

• If you have any allergic reactions to any medications.
• If you are taking another prescription.
• If you are being treated for another condition.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• If you have diabetes, or kidney or liver disease.
• If you are on a special diet.
• If you frequently use alcohol or tobacco.

Ask Your Doctor:

• What is the name of this prescription?
• What is this medication supposed to do?
• Will there be any side effects?
• How much medicine should I take and how often should I take it?
• How long should I take this medication?
• What other medicines should I avoid taking while on this medicine?
• Are there any foods or beverages I should avoid?