Medication Safety Tips

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.

Keep a record of your medications

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:

Name and strength of the medication
Dosage instructions
What you are taking it for
When did you start taking it
Over-the-counter medicines, herbal preparations and supplements that you take regularly or on occasion.

Take your medications exactly as prescribed

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.

If you don’t understand the directions on the label, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you. Take the medication exactly as directed, at the right time, and for the full length of time prescribed by the doctor.
It is vital to read the medication's expiration date on the label in a well-lit area to avoid mistakes.
A common error observed with liquid medication is taking the wrong dose. To avoid this, always use the dosing device that comes with the medicine, such as a syringe or a dosing cup. Household measuring devices such as kitchen spoons should never be used for liquid medications. They are inaccurate and may deliver more or less than prescribed.
Never take someone else’s medication. You don’t know if it will interact with your medications, the dose may be wrong for you, you may be allergic to it, or you may not need it.

Keep your medications safe

You can find the instructions for medication storage on the labels since different medications have varying storage requirements. For most medications, the best way is to store them up and away in a cool, dry place on a higher shelf or storage box.
Keep your medications out of direct sunlight and heat. Avoid storing them in bathroom cabinets because the heat and moisture may cause them damage.
Keep medications in their original containers and never remove the label from the medication container. Many pills look alike, so by keeping them in their original containers, you will know which medication and how to take them.
Always keep medications in their original bottles and ensure the medication container is always sealed and out of the reach of children. Children are especially at risk of accidental poisoning and may take medicine because it looks like candy. It is always good to keep the number of poison control ready, just in case.
Don’t store your medications with other family members' medicines.

Dispose of your old and expired medications safely

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.

Useful information

Allergies and side effects

Know your medication allergies and side effects and report unusual side effects to a healthcare provider immediately.

Pregnancy or nursing

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing a baby.

Medications interact

Know how your medications interact with each other and any nonprescription medications or herbals you may take, including cold remedies and vitamins.

Severe allergic reaction

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

Renew your medications in advance, so you don't run out, and know what to do if you miss a dose.

September 11, 2022

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 Safety

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.