Prescription and Medication Safety

• Make sure your medications are clearly labeled and carefully follow the label instructions. Keep a current record book of your medications.
• Review all your medications with your doctor or pharmacist at least once a year or when you start taking a new medication. This includes all prescription medications, non-prescription medications, herbal medications, dietary supplements and any other type of medication. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor or pharmacist questions.
• Take medications at the proper time. Keep a record of the medications you are taking and organize your medication schedule. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about dossettes and blisterpaks for your medications.
• Never take medication in the dark. Turn on the light to ensure you have the right medication and are taking the correct dose.
• Never take more medication than prescribed. Taking twice as much never eans that you will get better twice as fast.
• The combination of alcohol and medication can have serious onsequences. Check with your doctor or harmacist.
• Know what your medications look like. If a refill f a prescription looks different than before, consult our pharmacist or doctor to make sure it is the orrect medication.
• Store your medications in a cool, dry place, away from bright light. Don’t keep our medications in the bathroom.
• For your safety, return old medications you are no longer using or medications hat are outdated to your local pharmacy.

Your Medications Could Be a hazard to your Grandchildren

Prescriptions for older adults are some of the most toxic medications, posing the greatest threat of a tragic outcome if swallowed by a child. Even the most loving grandparents can put their grandchildren in danger when they unknowingly overlook simple precautions.

• When visiting a home with young children, make sure medications in purses, bathroom kits, and suitcases are not available to children.
• Be careful of medication dossettes, they help to organize medications, but most are not child resistant.
• If young children visit your home, memember to keep medications and household chemicals locked or out of children’s reach.
• Only give infants and children over-the-counter medications that are specially formulated for their age and weight.

Many childhood medication accidents involve their grandparent’s prescriptions. Keep your medications out of the reach of children.