How to Avoid an Accidental Overdose

With the untimely death of Australian actor Heath Ledger to an accidental overdose of prescription drugs last month, many people are wondering if they are at risk as well. Follow these simple steps to stay healthy and safe.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Stick to one pharmacy. Going consistently to one trusted pharmacy—instead of stopping at which ever one is most convenient at the time—allows your pharmacist to register on his computer all the medications, vitamins and supplements you are taking to determine if the interactions pose a serious threat to sensitive organs in the body. Keep a list of everything you take regularly in your wallet in case you are traveling or must stop at an unfamiliar drugstore.
2. Take medications only as directed. If you do not think the dose you were prescribed is effective or strong enough, call your doctor and ask if it is safe before taking more per day than was prescribed. Even seemingly harmless drugs like Tylenol can be dangerous if taken more than suggested on the bottle.
3. Beware of shopping for separate symptoms. Many over-the-counter products claiming to treat specific symptoms contain the same or overlapping active ingredients. Tylenol PM, NyQuil, Benadryl and Tylenol Severe Allergy, for example, all contain acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. When unknowing consumers take more than one of these medications at the same time, the dose can at the very least cause confusion and be toxic to your liver. Some patients have accidentally gotten a DUI from the combined alcohol contents as well.