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How to Avoid Drug Mishaps and Live Longer

One of the most common medical screw-ups is taking a prescription medication which interacts adversely with another. While every drug combination scenario could not be researched, most of them are fairly common and therefore, pharmacists, doctors and hospitals should be aware of the adverse reactions that could result. However, mistakes can happen so it is up to you to be diligent about every medication that is put into your body.

Thousands of people die every year from adverse reactions when taking different medications. Many of these deaths could be prevented. Luckily, there are quite a few ways to serve as an advocate of medication safety for you. Institute the following tips to keep you safer, no matter where you are:

1. Doctor's office diligence - Each time you visit your doctor, take a list of all the prescription medications as well as any herbal or vitamin supplements and over the counter drugs. Share the list with your doctor so he or she can make the best educated decision if another prescription is necessary.

Be sure to ask your doctor exactly what the medication is supposed to do for you as well as the dosage and possible drug interactions and side effects. Before you fill your prescription at the pharmacy, you might want to pop home first and research it on the internet.

2. Pharmacy follow-ups - Bring the list of medications and over the counter items that you are currently taking with you to the pharmacy when you fill your new prescription. Inform the pharmacist of what you are taking and ask for an information pamphlet for the new drug. Most of the time, the computer will flag possible drug interactions. However, be sure to quiz your pharmacist about them as well.

If possible, stick with one pharmacy. When they recognize you, they are more apt to remember what medications you are taking and can more accurately assess possible drug interactions. Plus, the pharmacy computer keeps track of all your medications and again, will likely flag potential problems.

3. Home attentiveness with medication - Always read the labels of your medication before you take them. If you are taking more than one medication for different ailments at different times of day, you want to sure that you do not accidentally take the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Be sure that you throw away drugs that you no longer need or those that are expired. Some expired drugs degrade and can be hazardous to your health. Also, store your medications - both prescribed and over the counter - out of a child's reach.

4. Advocate yourself in the hospital - Bring your list of medications - both prescribed and over the counter - to the hospital with you. They doctors and nurses need to know what you already have in your system. Do not leave out vitamins or herbal remedies either as these can have adverse reactions to some drugs.

Always ask what you are being given via pill form or even via IV. This will draw attention to what the doctor or nurse is doing and mistake could be more easily caught. Also, make sure that they check your wristband so that they are ensuring they have the right person for the right medication. If you are not feeling up to it, have someone stay with you in the hospital to act as your advocate and question everything.

Also, report any adverse reactions to medication right away, even if you think that they could be the result of your procedure instead. Sometimes, even the most minor headache or rash could be serious. Finally, if you are being sent home from the hospital with medication, have the doctor or nurse write everything down including the name, dosage and when and how often to take it. Also, have a family member be with you to write down the same information as they hear it to ensure that you are getting the right instructions.

Just remember that you are your own best advocate when it comes to health care. By practicing due diligence, you can prevent any adverse or potentially fatal drug interactions.