Medication/Drug Use
Medications are used to help manage medical conditions, treat injuries and infections, and relieve discomfort as well as other symptoms. Some medications are available only from a pharmacy and require a prescription. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are those you can buy without a prescription and include vitamins and herbal supplements. Street drugs are those not approved for medical use and are usually considered “illegal”. Medications have risks as well as benefits.
It is important to know how to safely use all medications:
- Know the names of all medications you take and what they are used for.
- Keep a list of your medicines with you at all times. Review these and any over-the-counter medicines or supplements with your health care provider at every visit.
- Take your medicines in the exact amount and the same schedule as prescribed. Do not stop medicines or restart discontinued medicines without instructions from your health care provider. If cost is a concern, ask your health care provider for a generic or lower-cost medicine.
- Throw away any unused or expired medicines.
- Be aware of any side effects, activity restrictions, or interactions with food, alcohol, or other medications.
- Keep medicines in their original containers and in a safe place away from children.
- Never share your medicines with anyone and do not use another person’s medicines.
- To help you remember to take your medicines, use a calendar or pillbox.
- Treat over-the-counter medicines with the same seriousness as prescribed medicines.
- Use the same pharmacy so that the pharmacist can identify any harmful interactions with your medicines.
- Do not use street drugs.
