Everyone can buy over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without a doctor’s prescription. OTC drugs help treat or prevent symptoms from illness or other health problems. However, OTC drugs cause serious problems when abused and taken with other medication. These problems are called adverse effects. Adverse effects from OTC drugs include side effects such as drug/drug interactions. The best thing people can do to avoid adverse effects is to read the label carefully before taking any medication.
Tips on Reducing the Risk of unfavorable Drug Effects
· Read the drug label carefully.
· Make sure you know what ingredients the product contains and understand any warnings or possible adverse effects.
· If you don't understand something, ask your doctor or pharmacist about it.
· If you take any prescription drugs, ask your doctor before taking an OTC drug.
· Don't stir medicine into your food or take capsules apart (unless your doctor tells you to). This may change the way the drug works.
· Don't take vitamin pills at the same time you take medicine. Vitamins and minerals can cause problems if taken with some drugs.
· Don't mix medicine into hot drinks unless the label tells you to. The heat may keep the drug from working as it should.
· Don’t take medicine with alcoholic drinks
· Read the drug label carefully.
· Make sure you know what ingredients the product contains and understand any warnings or possible adverse effects.
· If you don't understand something, ask your doctor or pharmacist about it.
· If you take any prescription drugs, ask your doctor before taking an OTC drug.
· Don't stir medicine into your food or take capsules apart (unless your doctor tells you to). This may change the way the drug works.
· Don't take vitamin pills at the same time you take medicine. Vitamins and minerals can cause problems if taken with some drugs.
· Don't mix medicine into hot drinks unless the label tells you to. The heat may keep the drug from working as it should.
· Don’t take medicine with alcoholic drinks
Sources:
cmcsb.com
Familydoctor.org
chpa-info.org
I think those tips are very helpful! I wish that everyone knew these things. I am going to pass on the word about being safe while using over the counter drugs. Horror stories like your scenarios can really make a person think about OTC misuse and their consequences!
ReplyDeleteWow I wasn't really aware of this danger. I have a twelve year old brother that sees things I didn't when I was in school,so its information like this that will help me guide him in the right direction. Thanks a lot for this article guys!
ReplyDeleteWow I didnt know it was that easy to find wrong uses for over the counter medicine. Everything you set your eyes on catches your attention, you just want to keep on reading it. The videos are very helpful because it opens up your eyes to what can sadly happen to teenagers when they dont have direction in their lives.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I am informing people of these dangers. Too often people think otc are not serious.....THEY ARE!!! They can cause major problems. Times have changed since I have been in school to and it hasn’t been that long it seems as things get worse with every generation but it’s up to us to teach and set good examples.
ReplyDeleteEverything gets ruined when people start abusing things.... That's sad that OTC drugs are becoming a way for people to get a high. Thanks for putting this out. Hopefully it'll prevent at least ONE person from misusing OTC drugs. Thanks again.
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