Prescription Drugs: Helping them help you
Prescription drugs are an important part of health care. They can be helpful when used correctly and they can even save your life! It's important to use them properly so you don't harm yourself. Make sure you use prescription drugs only when they are prescribed to you by a health care professional and always take them exactly as directed.
Examples of Prescription Medication categories, with mind altering effects, include:
barbiturates (used to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizures)
benzodiazepines (used to relieve anxiety and stop seizures and as muscle relaxants and sleeping pills)
antidepressants (used to relieve symptoms of depression)
stimulants (used to suppress the appetite, and treat attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy)
opioids (used to relieve pain) |
If you take more or less than prescribed, or take them when you don't need them, you risk consequences that might be serious.
- Taking more than prescribed can cause you to overdose.
- Taking less than prescribed can cause the drug not to work properly.
- Stopping abruptly may cause other problems.
- And mixing prescription drugs with alcohol might even be lethal.
Safety Tips
To use prescription drugs safely, you should:
- Only use them when they’re prescribed for you
- Only use them exactly as directed
- Tell your health care professional if new symptoms develop while you’re taking your medication
- Always check with your health care professional before taking additional medication
- Never take someone else’s medication or give them yours
- Never take leftover prescription drugs without asking your health care professional first
- Always return unused prescription drugs to the pharmacy for safe disposal.
Even over-the-counter (OTC) medication should be taken carefully and according to directions. If you’re not sure what to take, or how much, always check with a parent or your doctor or pharmacist first.
For more information about prescription drugs
