Common Medication Errors: How You Can Avoid Top Dangers at Home

If you’re anything like most Americans, you have a medicine cabinet chock full of pills — and you take at least one every day. One wrong move, however, and the drugs you rely on could prove deadly.

Medication errors are far too common, but they’re nearly always preventable. The following are among the most common mistakes involving prescription drugs:

Overdose

Overdoses are responsible for a significant portion of drug-related injuries and deaths. These can occur due to doctor or pharmacist mistakes — but user error is often to blame. Overdoses can best be avoided by only taking prescribed drugs at instructed doses.

Don’t take additional doses simply because the initial dose seems to have had a muted impact. Likewise, avoid using both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications that contain similar ingredients. A common example: taking prescribed painkillers followed by Tylenol or other over-the-counter products containing acetaminophen.

Timing Errors

Certain medications are designed to be taken at specific times of the day, often in accordance with other drugs you may be taking. To avoid timing issues, maintain a strict schedule. Set multiple alarms on your phone, if necessary.

Cutting Pills

Many medications are specifically coated to protect the stomach or to provide long-acting effects. Don’t split pills unless your doctor specifically instructs you to do so.

Chewing Pills Meant For Swallowing

How you consume medications can determine how they are absorbed in the bloodstream. Many drugs are only meant to be swallowed — not crushed or chewed. Only chew pills according to instructions from your doctor or pharmacist.

If you’ve suffered at the hands of a negligent health care professional, you deserve strong legal support from an attorney you can trust. Look to Regan Zambri Long PLLC for assistance with your medical malpractice case.