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How To Avoid Medication Errors

From Carol & Richard Eustice,
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD
A few simple, common sense tasks can help you avoid medication errors and ensure your safety.

 
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

  1. Have your doctor explain what is written on any prescription given to you.

  2. Be certain the prescription is legible and includes the purpose of the medication.

  3. Use a reliable pharmacy which keeps a list of all medications you take in their computer. Avoid unregulated Internet pharmacies.

  4. Keep medications in their original, labeled containers or use a pill box or pill reminder to avoid errors and better organize your medications.

  5. Do not take medication in the dark where you can easily pick up the wrong container.

  6. Read the label every time you take a dose of medication to confirm you have the correct drug and are taking it properly.

  7. Never take medication which was prescribed for another person.

  8. Do not store medication in direct light, heat, or humidity.

  9. Do not store ointments near toothpaste where an easy mix-up could occur.

  10. Do not take expired medications.

  11. Learn how to dispose of your old, expired or unused medications in a safer, more environmentally-friendly way.

  12. When taking liquid medications use only the measuring cup it came with.

  13. Keep a list of the name, dose, and frequency of all medications you take including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, and supplements particularly since some herbs can have adverse reactions with prescription drugs.

  14. Make sure your medication list matches your doctor's records and the list the pharmacy has to avoid dangerous drug interactions.

  15. Obtain printed information about any new medication you receive from the pharmacy.

Tips:

  1. Learn more about and better understand the medications you are taking.

  2. Be very familiar with the appearance of your drugs and notice if or when it changes.

  3. Only take your medications as instructed by your doctor.

  4. Always consult with your doctor before stopping a medication or when considering a new treatment.

Updated: May 26, 2006
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