How to Avoid a Prescription Drug Overdose or Interaction

Prescription drug overdoses and accidental misuse account for more deaths each year in our Country than those caused by illegal drugs. The Center for Disease Control reports that the increase in accidental prescription drug poisonings increased by a factor of 63% between 1999 and 2004. Our medical treatment increasingly relies on prescription drugs. Many health care consumers are taking multiple drugs on a daily basis. As a result, harmful interactions between different prescriptions or even from an over the counter medication are becoming more commonplace. There are a few simple precautions you can take to lower you risk of an overdose or harmful drug interaction.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Never take an increased dosage of your prescribed medication. For example, you may be tempted to consider taking an extra pain pill when your regular dose doesn't provide relief. Avoid this practice entirely. Instead, make a call to your doctor's office to discuss the problem. The doctor may prescribe a different medication or alternate treatment. Your doctor specified your dosage at the time of the prescription, likely taking into account several different factors. It is important to communicate with your health care provider rather than self medicating.

2. Make a list or inventory of each prescription drug you are taking. Also include any over the counter medications, vitamins, and supplements you may be taking. The list should include the drug name, generic name, dosage, and any special instructions. Keep the list updated with any changes. You may want to consider also listing the type of cold, flu, stomach, or OTC pain relief you take on an as needed basis.

3. Keep copies of your drug list in safe and easy to access locations. Keep one copy of this list at home. Make sure your family knows where it is located. If you become incapacitated, your family can provide the list to the rescue squad, emergency room, or hospital. Keep another copy in your wallet or purse. If you are seeing a specialist or new medical provider, you will be able to easily provide them with a detailed account of your drug usage.

4. If you are prescribed a new medication, be sure your doctor or specialist is aware of the current medications you are taking. Specifically ask them if there is any chance of an interaction between the new drug and your current medications. This will prevent a harmful interaction. Doctors are busier than ever, it is important that the patient makes sure their doctor has considered all possible adverse interactions of their medications.

5. Discuss and understand all potential side effects of your medications. Your doctor and pharmacist both can discuss these with you. Don't take anything for granted. It is important you understand how these drugs will affect you. If there is an adverse reaction you will be in a better position to recognize it and take action.

6. Insist that your primary care doctor review all of your prescription drugs, over the counter medicines, and supplements twice a year. Let the nurse know you want this to be part of an upcoming office visit so the appropriate time can be allotted.

7. Never save short term prescribed medicines for later use. It is common for patients to save any left over pain medicine following a surgery or injury. The typical thinking is that these pills will be handy if I strain my back or suffer another tooth ache. Self medicating is never safe. Furthermore, never share your medication with someone else. Adding just one unprescribed drug to another persons “drug cocktail” can be disastrous.

8. Fill all of your prescriptions at the same pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist if they can monitor and track your prescriptions. Ask if they would like to add any OTC or supplements to their list. Get to know you pharmacist and utilize the services they offer.