There are several steps you can follow to help avoid problems with medicine:
- Follow your prescription instructions carefully: It is important to take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. This includes the dose, frequency, and duration of treatment.
- Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medications: Make sure to inform your healthcare provider about all of the medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and complementary or alternative therapies. This will help to ensure that there are no interactions between your medications.
- Store your medications safely: Keep your medications in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets. Make sure to store them at the proper temperature and humidity, as directed by the manufacturer.
- Dispose of medications properly: When you no longer need a medication, dispose of it properly. Many pharmacies and local health departments offer medication disposal programs to help keep medications out of the wrong hands and out of the environment.
- Be aware of side effects: Be aware of the possible side effects of your medications and report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider.
- Don't skip doses: It is important to take your medications as directed, even if you are feeling better. Skipping doses or stopping treatment early can cause the condition to worsen or lead to other problems.
- Ask questions: If you have any questions or concerns about your medications, don't hesitate to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.