Medication Safety

Medicine has many benefits but it also has risks.  If not used in the right way, both prescription and over-the-counter medicine can be harmful.

Tips

1. Read the label before taking or giving medicines.
2. Be sure you understand the directions and follow them exactly.  Call the poison center if  you have any questions. 
3. When giving or taking liquid medications, always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine or a device that shows exact amounts—never use an eating utensil to measure out medication. 
4. Never take prescription medicine that was prescribed for someone else.
5. Never take more than directed. 
6. Never mix medicines unless your doctor says that it is okay to do so. Some medicines, when mixed together, can lead to serious side effects or drug interactions. 
7. Properly dispose of old medicines by using the guidelines from the IPC.