Medication Safety

When thinking about medication safety, we typically think of two primary age groups, children & the elderly. But did you know that the highest unintentional overdose death rate occurs in adults between the ages of 40-49.  Children under the age of 5 and over the age of 65 are twice as likely to be seen for emergency treatment of adverse drug events.  

Important things to consider about medication safety:

• Ask your doctor AND pharmacist about drug interactions, especially if you see more than one physician or specialist, NEVER assume that your physician or pharmacist knows about the medications that you are taking.
• Monitor medications, including creams and lozenges, for expiration dates.  Many people are misled that following an expiration date, medications will be less effective.  But in liquids and creams especially, evaporation can create a more concentrated dose, giving more medication than needed.
• Keep medication stored properly and out of reach for children especially those under the age of 5.
• Utilize pill sorters to remind you of when your last dose was and when your next dose is due to prevent unintentional double dosing.
• If a person's condition is not emergent (seizures, passing out, respiratory distress, call 911) then call Poison Control (1-800-POISON-1) following any adverse medication event.  You can even call poison control if your pet ingests a medication or toxic substance.  The poison control call center has experts with accurate and extensive advice at their fingertips. 

It's handy to keep Poison Control's number posted in case of an adverse medication event.  I've unfortunately had to call twice, first when my son drank liquid Albuterol and then when Jessalyn, at age five,  decided to try all five of the samples of Nasocort nasal spray in my bathroom.  Neither situation was life threatening, but Poison Control was amazing.  Don't be afraid to call, they can give you the reassurance that the situation will be okay or if you need to seek further treatment.