Safe Use of Medicines

The Issue

Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines can help cure diseases and make you feel better. However, all medicines should be used carefully.

Background

All medicines carry some risk. Your body can have a mild reaction to a medicine, such as a minor rash, or a serious allergic reaction. Often, such reactions are unexpected. It is important that you are aware of the risks of each medicine and weigh them against the benefits before you decide to take it.

The Risks of Taking Medicine

Some of the risks involved with using medicine include:

• Adverse reactions when the medicine is combined with certain foods, beverages, vitamins, and herbal or other medicines - the more of these you combine, the greater the chance of a reaction
• The medicine not working as prescribed
• The medicine causing additional health problems

Minimizing Your Risk

Only you can decide what level of risk is acceptable for you or your family. There are several steps you can take to help you reach the right decision.

Be informed - Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional about all aspects of your medication. Tell them about any health conditions you have, such as allergies and sensitivities, and what medications you are currently taking. Discuss any questions or concerns you might have. Be sure to mention if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or planning to have a baby. Mention any difficulties you might have swallowing medicines or remembering to take them.

Ask your doctor why you are being prescribed the medication, how your medicine should work, whether you need regular check-ups or tests, and ask if there are any side effects or interactions with food, beverages (e.g., grapefruit juice), vitamins, or herbal supplements. Ask about ways to decrease the chance of side effects. Ask when you should expect to start feeling better, and if and when you should report back to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist for written information about the medicine you are taking. Make sure to read the drug label to be sure that you are using the medicine safely.

Be aware that products with different names may contain the same ingredients, such as acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol and Tylenol Sinus).

Be consistent - It is helpful to use the same pharmacy for all your prescriptions. The pharmacist can help you to identify any possible harmful interactions with other medicines that you are taking.

Keep a record - Keep an up-to-date list of all medicines you are taking. Include vitamins, herbal medicines, and prescription and non-prescription drugs, even if you only use them occasionally. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist. Make sure that you know the brand names and the ingredients of the medicine you are taking. You should also know what each medicine looks like and how it should be stored.

Pay attention to and record how you feel after taking the medicine. Discuss any changes with your doctor or pharmacist and report any side effects.

Take control - Always use the medicine as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Know when to take it, how often, and for how long. Know when and under what conditions you should stop using a medicine, and what to do if you miss a dose.

Keep medicines safe - Always keep medicines in their original containers, and never combine different medicines in the same bottle. Make sure you are taking the right medicine. Always read the label and follow the directions closely.

Health Canada's Role

The reporting of adverse reactions to medicines is coordinated by the Marketed Health Products Directorate of Health Canada with the assistance of five Regional Adverse Reaction Reporting Centres (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Québec and the Atlantic Region). Manufacturers of medicines are legally responsible to provide Health Canada with reports of serious adverse effects for health products they sell in Canada. Voluntary reporting by health professionals and consumers assists in monitoring the safety and effectiveness of marketed health products.

Need More Info?

Health Canada's Medication Kit includes a personal medication record and a list of questions you can ask your health professional Medication Kit

To report adverse drug reactions, call toll-free: 1-866-234-2345

Keep a record of the medications you are taking by using the medication chart

For more information on safe drugs issues, visit:
The Canadian Health Network and search for safe drugs or safe medications

Keep a record of the medications you are taking by using the medication chart
For additional articles on this subject and other issues go to the It's Your Health Web site You can also call (613) 957-2991

©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada,
represented by the Minister of Health, 2004
Updated: May 2004
Original : March 2003