Allergies and side effects
Know your medication allergies and side effects and report unusual side effects to a healthcare provider immediately.
Medications are an essential aspect of health care. For some people, taking medications is a part of their daily routine. Physicians prescribe them to treat various health conditions and alleviate symptoms. For example, they are taken to lower blood pressure, cure infections, and relieve pain. However, medications do sometimes cause serious harm if misused. No matter what medicine your doctor prescribes, it's always important to be safe and follow medication safety measures.
Savera Arain and Hoor Alhazza from Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare's pharmacy services department would like to share these tips with you.
Make a list of medications you take and bring it with you to every doctor’s appointment.
The list should also include the following information about specific drugs:
One of the most important things about taking medication safely is correctly reading and following the directions on the label. It may seem like a lot of information, but reading it will ensure that you take the medication correctly.
The best way to dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused medicines is through a drug take-back program. Check with your hospital or pharmacy if they offer a drug take-back option. These take-back locations may offer on-site medication drop-off boxes, such as the enviro-green initiative at all JHAH pharmacy locations, where expired or unused medications are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
If the take-back program is unavailable, you can dispose of the medications at home, depending on their type, by flushing them down the sink or toilet or throwing them in household trash.
To find out if the medication you are on can be flushed, check the label or the patient information leaflet of your prescription or consult the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s list of medicines recommended for disposal by flushing.
If you don’t have a medication take-back program available and your medication is not on the flush list, you can dispose of them in with the household trash by first sealing them in a plastic bag before throwing them in the trash.
Place all needles and other sharps in a sharp disposal container immediately after using them. This will reduce the risk of needle sticks, cuts, and punctures from loose sharps. Sharp disposal containers should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Remove all personal identification, including the prescription number, from prescription bottles by covering it with a marker or scratching it off before disposing of them.
Know your medication allergies and side effects and report unusual side effects to a healthcare provider immediately.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing a baby.
Know how your medications interact with each other and any nonprescription medications or herbals you may take, including cold remedies and vitamins.
If you get a rash, start itching, vomiting, or have trouble breathing after starting a medication, get emergency medical care immediately, as you may be showing signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Renew your medications in advance, so you don't run out, and know what to do if you miss a dose.
The more information you have about using your medications safely, the better you can prevent medication errors and care for yourself.
For medication-related inquiries, you may contact Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare call center by selecting pharmacy services extension and requesting a video call with the pharmacist. Detailed instructions on your medication are also accessible via MyChart.
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. Used properly, antibiotics can save lives. They either kill bacteria or keep them from reproducing. Your body’s natural defenses can usually take it from there.
Antibiotics do NOT fight infections caused by viruses, such as:
• Colds
• Flu
• Most coughs and bronchitis
• Sore throats, unless caused by strep
If a virus is making you sick, taking antibiotics may do more harm than good. You increase the chance that bacteria in your body will be able to resist antibiotics each time you take them. Later, you could get or spread an infection that those antibiotics cannot cure.
When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. It is important to finish your medicine, even if you feel better.
Do NOT save antibiotics for later or use someone else’s prescription. These steps can help you prevent antibiotic resistance.
This content is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional. It is important that you rely on the advice of a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
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