When taken as directed, medicines can help prevent or treat diseases, relieve pain, and ease other symptoms.

When taken incorrectly—whether intentionally or by mistake—they can cause dangerous side effects and interactions, including death.

Even so, one in five Americans say they have not used over-the-counter (OTC) medicines as directed. They’ve taken more than the recommended dose or they’ve taken them more frequently than indicated.

These suggestions can help you avoid medication mishaps:

• Be sure you know the following when you receive a new prescription from your doctor:
  • The name of the medicine
  • The reason you should take it
  • How much to take, how often, and for how long
  • What you should do if you miss a dose
  • What side effects to expect and what to do if you experience them
  • If you should avoid any foods, alcohol, or activities
  • If you will need follow-up tests to track the drug’s effectiveness or side effects
• Get a medication checkup at least once a year. Ask your doctor to review all your OTC and prescription medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies. Are they all needed? Do any dosages need to be changed?
• Every time you take your medications, double-check that you are taking the right dose of the right drug, at the right time, in the right way.
• Don’t chew, crush, or split pills without checking with your pharmacist. Doing so could cause the ingredients to be absorbed too quickly, which could be dangerous.
• Never take someone else’s prescription medication. Even if you have the same condition, the medicine could interact with drugs you take or a condition you have.
• Never stop taking a medication without speaking with your doctor.
• Fill all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy. That makes it easier for the pharmacist to identify possible drug interactions.
• When you drop off prescriptions or request refills, tell your pharmacist about any drug allergies you have as well as all the prescription medications, OTC drugs, vitamins, and herbal remedies you take.
• When you pick up medications at your pharmacy, confirm that you received the correct drug and that the dosage instructions are correct. If you’ve taken the medicine before, make sure this medicine has the same shape, color, and size.
• Order refills of maintenance medications before you run out.

For more information, visit the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov and search for “medication errors.”

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