Learn more about the medications you or a loved one is taking by having these useful resources on hand:
- Safe Medication: Do you have questions about a new medication and it’s after normal business hours? Check out Safe Medication, a website run by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
- MyMedSchedule: This innovative free app gives people a secure way to set up medication schedules, receive medication reminders and more, so they can manage their meds on the go. Find it on the App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Android phones.
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Read about real healthcare issues for real people, including how to choose the right healthcare plan.
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists: Find out about new medications and how pharmacists are putting their knowledge to work.
8 ways to avoid adverse drug reactions
- Learn the names of all medications prescribed for you.
- When you see a new healthcare practitioner, provide a list of all your medications, including vitamins and alternative medicines.
- Be familiar with how your medications look and check them before taking them.
- Know the dosage and schedule for every medication you take.
- If you have questions about any treatments or medications, ask your pharmacist.
- Request written information about your medications.
- If you’re too ill to follow these recommendations, ask a friend or a relative to help you.
- Keep your family safe by keeping a separate list of medications for each family member.
3 tips to prevent antibiotic resistance
- Don’t skip doses or stop taking the medication before the prescription is finished.
- Remember that antibiotics should be used for bacterial infections, not viral infections.
- Never self-medicate with antibiotics that haven’t been prescribed for you.