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Medication Safety Tips
Talk with Your Doctor, Pharmacist, or Other Health Care
Professional
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Keep an up-to-date, written list
of ALL of the medicines (prescription and over-the-counter)
and dietary supplements, including vitamins and
herbals, that you use - even those you only use
occasionally.
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Share this list with ALL of your
health care professionals
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Tell about any allergies or sensitivities
that you may have.
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Tell about anything that could
affect your ability to take medicines, such as
difficulty swallowing or remembering to take them.
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Tell if you are or might become
pregnant, or if you are nursing a baby.
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Always ask questions about any
concerns or thoughts that you may have.
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Know Your Medicines
- Prescription and Over-The-Counter
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The brand and generic names
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What they look like
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How to store them properly
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When, how, and how long to use
them
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How and under what conditions
you should stop using them
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What to do if you miss a dose
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What they are supposed
to do and when to expect results |
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Side effects and interactions |
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Whether you need any
tests or monitoring |
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Always ask for written
information to take with you. |
Read the Label and
Follow Directions
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Make sure you understand the directions;
ask, if you have questions or concerns.
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Always double check that you have
the right medicine.
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Keep medicines in their original
labeled containers whenever possible.
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Never combine different medicines
in the same bottle.
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Read and follow the directions
on the label and the directions from your doctor,
pharmacist, or other health care professional.
If you stop the medicine or want to use the medicine
differently than directed, consult with your health
care professional.
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Avoid Interaction
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Ask if there are interactions
with any other medicines or dietary supplements
(including vitamins or herbal supplements), beverages,
or foods.
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Use the same pharmacy for all
of your medicine needs whenever possible.
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Before starting any new medicine
or dietary supplement (including vitamins or herbal
supplements), ask again if there are possible
interactions with what you are currently using.
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Monitor Your Medicines'
Effects - and the Effects of Other Products that You
Use
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Ask if there is anything you can
do to minimize side effects, such as eating before
you take medicine to reduce stomach upset.
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Pay attention to how you are feeling;
note any changes. Write down the changes so that
you can remember to tell your doctor, pharmacist,
or other health care professional.
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Know what to do if you experience
side effects and when to notify your doctor.
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Know when you should notice an
improvement and when to report back.
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