DRUG ERRORS MEDICATION MISTAKES WAYS TO DECREASE MISTAKES AND A WEB SITE WITH PICTURES OF MEDICATION PILLS AND DRUG INTERACTIONS

DRUG ERRORS DRUG MISTAKES WAYS TO DECREASE MISTAKES AND A WEB SITE WITH PICTURES OF MEDICATION PILLS AND DRUG INTERACTIONS

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Many times when a doctor asks a new patient what medications they are using, the new patient will say "I don't know the name but there is a red pill and a green pill" or something along those lines. Considering the medication goes into your body, knowing exactly the how what and why of your medications is crucial. Drug safety and medication safety is an important problem especially if it is your medication! Unfortunately prescription errors are not rare.



Doctors are human and like all humans mistakes can be made. Ditto for pharmacists. Never assume anything. Make sure that you and your doctor understand each other. Make sure you understand medications instructions. Don't be shy your life could depend on it. Make sure the doctor writes clearly. Question the pharmacist as to the drugs you are taking.Verify color, dosage, shape and size of pills and liquids.



People sometimes seem to know more about how their car works then how the medication and drugs they take work. Since medications you take work in your body it behooves you to spend some time to understand exactly what the drug you take is for, what it is supposed to do, how often and. possible drug and food interactions.

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Some tips to increase medication safety include:

Know your drug and food allergies

Be informed

Realize that over the counter drugs are still drugs and can be as dangerous as prescriptions

Communicate with your doctor, your pharmacist, your family

Check your medicine

Use your medicine correctly

Be aware

Keep good records







Express scripts has a web site with information about drug interactions, pictures of medication pills and more.

Seven Steps to Medication Safety