We all know that the right combination of medicines can cure any disease, but a slight mistake can put us at risk of serious illnesses or can even turn fatal.
But still, a lot of people make dangerous drug mistakes every year, which lands them in the emergency room of a hospital.
As per data, more than 1.5 million make dangerous drug mistakes every year and a majority of them are made by senior citizens.
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of a medication error is to be well aware of the drugs you are taking and its potential side effects.
Here is a list of 7 common medical mistakes that you should avoid to stay healthy and safe:
1. Mixing drugs incorrectly
Taking two counteracting drugs together can actually make you sick. The interaction of the two drugs in the body can reduce the effectiveness of both the medicines and can even lead to unpleasant side-effects. Like taking antidepressants and methadone together can be an issue. Even over-the-counter drugs should be avoided.
2. Taking medication without complete knowledge
Whenever your doctor prescribes you new medicines or you are taking over-the counter-drugs, it is better to gain complete knowledge about it. You should know how to take the drugs, when to take it and its side-effects. Gaining complete knowledge about the medicines you are going to take will prevent you from making a medication error.
3. Taking high dose of drugs
You should always take medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Taking a high dose of medicines can cause serious liver damage and it can also cause side-effects. Apart from this, it may also lead to drowsiness, confusion, chest pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Even taking medicines too often should be avoided.
4. Taking medicines infrequently
If you are not taking your medicines regularly then you are putting your health at risk. Antidepressants, steroids, and blood-thinning medicines should not be skipped. Doing so can cause grave danger to your health.
5. Taking drugs on an empty stomach
The wrong combination of food also causes hindrance in the absorption of the drug from the stomach into the body. There are some medicines which need to be taken on an empty stomach and some after the meal. Ignoring these small details will reduce the effectiveness of the drugs.
6. Taking medicines on your own
This is a common mistake most people make. They self-diagnose the symptoms and take medicines accordingly, which at times goes wrong. It is best to consult your doctor before having any kind of drugs as it is a matter of your health.
7. Taking other people’s medicines
Just because you and your partner are suffering from high blood pressure, doesn’t mean you both need the same medication. Doctors prescribe medicines based on your fitness level, age, and other medical complications. Taking other people’s tablets can make your health condition even worse.
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