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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