Prescription Drug Safety

By Tracy Soltesz, LAc, MAc

The recent rash of celebrity deaths caused by accidental overdose of prescription medication has everyone looking closer at their medicine cabinet. Many prescribed medications for relief of injuries or illness have a narrow window between “therapeutic” and “over” dose. This window becomes smaller if medications are taken with alcohol, other prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications and certain herbal supplements.
To avoid accidental drug interactions or overdose, follow these guidelines
Inform Your Doctor Before accepting prescriptions, tell your doctor of all other prescriptions, OTCs and supplements you are taking. Know the dosage and be honest underestimating your dose or forgetting about OTCs used on occasion can be dangerous.
Inform Yourself Know what you are taking and why you are taking it. Don't be afraid to ask for more information if you're handed several scripts or given a trial size. You should receive a consumer information sheet which are also available on the internet. This sheet lists other medications, supplements and foods that cannot be mixed with your medication or may increase the absorption rate. Be aware of side-effects, and know the difference between common ones and those that require medical attention.
No Alcohol Never take prescription medications with alcohol, and don't consume alcohol until you have finished your entire course. In addition to a serious reaction with even common prescriptions such as antibiotics, alcohol increases digestive inflammation, altering the way in which your body absorbs medications.
More is Not Better Never take more than prescribed. Many pain medications work by confusing the receptors in the brain that register sensations. Over time, these receptors may become tolerant, so your current dose will no longer relieve pain. However this tolerance doesn't occur for other body systems. Increasing your dosage to match your brain's response may create a dangerous toxicity level in organs that process drugs such as the liver or kidneys.
Go Easy Medications that change the brain's perception of pain also change other parts of your perception. Ever had a friend who clearly had too much to drink but was unaware of his behavior and felt sober enough to drive? The same may happen when taking medications. Even if you feel fine, you may be too intoxicated to operate a vehicle or complete strenuous tasks. Though the doctor prescribed this medication, you are responsible for your actions and consequences that occur as a result of impairment caused by them.