NEWS photo Terry Peters

CAUTION SHOULD be used when dealing with any drugs, even those prescriked by doctors. A
bottle of pills from the pharmacist, if misused, can be just as harmful as alcohol or illegal drugs.

Ask questions about prescriptions

EVERY DAY. millions of people
rely on prescription medicines to
feel better and get well. But studies
show that up to 50% of prescription
drugs are not taken properly.

If you don’t take the drugs at the
right times or for long enough, you
might not get well as fast as you
could.

Taking them with certain foods
or other drugs might give you a bad
reaction or stop your medicine from
working as well as it could.

Asking your doctor or pharma-
cist the following questions is a
good start, But don’t stop there.

Keep working with your health
care practitioners, They are partners
in your drug treatment. They want
to help you use your medicines
properly.

J What is the name of
the drug and what is it
supposed to do?

9 How and when do I
take it, and for how long?
iJ What foods, drinks,
other medicines, ot activi-

DRINK

ray

Ues should | avoid while taking this
drug?
© Are there any side effects, and
what do | do if they occur?
1 1s there any written information
available about the drug?

Other tips for the safe use of
medication include:
7 Do not borrow prescription drugs
from other people.
‘J Do not lend or give prescription
drugs to cther people.
J Do not double up on the next
dose if you miss a dose.
3 Do nothoard unused medica-

lions. Dispose of them.

21 Do not store several

prescriptions drugs in

the same container.

3 Do not stop taking a
prescribed medica-
ion without talking
to your doctor.

Do not stop a
newly prescribed drug
for minor side effects:

contact your doctor
or pharmacist.

North Shore Taxi

9387-7171

250 Pemberton Ave.

J Do not take alcohol with pre-

scription drugs.

& Do not start taking over-the-

counter medication without talking

to your doctor of pharmiutcist.

CD Before taking it, talk about it.
fuformation courtesy of the

Seniors Drue information Resource

Centre.

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