• Over-The-Counter Medication Safety
     
     Just because a medication does not require a prescription, does not make it inherently SAFE!!
    There are a few rules to follow to make Over-The-Counter  (OTC) medications safer: 
     
         1. Read and follow the Drug Facts label EVERY time.  This is the label on all OTC drugs that tells you
    the name(s) of active ingredients, warnings you should consider when using the medicine, and the correct
    dose and schedule for taking the medicine. 
     
         2. Measure carefully, EVERY time.  It is important to use the dosing device that comes with the medicine.  Never use
    household spoons to measure medicine.  Never take more than the recommended doe, and don't redose sooner
    or more often than directed by the Drug Facts label.  Medicines can cause harm when they are not used as labeled.  
     
         3. Ask a pharmacist, nurse, or doctor.  Pharmacists, nurses, and doctors, like those who answer the phone at
    your local poison center, are resources that you can rely on to answer questions about medicines, dose, medicine
    disposal, and overall responsible use.
     
         4.  Store OTC medicines "up and away."  Every year nearly 500,000 parents or caregivers call poison control
    centers because a child got into a medicine or was given the wrong dose.  Store all medicines out to the reach and
    sight of children immediately after each use.
     
         5. Know the active ingredients.  Know the active ingredients in your medicines.  Take only one medicine at a time
    that contains the same active ingredient.  Taking more than one medicine with the same active ingredient can be an
    overdose and can cause harm. 
     
    Nurse Note  
     Save the Poison Help number in your phone:  1-800-222-1222
    Your local poison center answers calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 
     A comprehensive parent site offers all the FREE resources you need to learn more about OTC safety:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Last Modified on July 24, 2017