Using medicine safely

Medicines can help people get well, but only when used correctly. A prescription medicine is ordered by a doctor or other health care provider for one specific person, while over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, like some pain relievers and allergy medicines, can be bought without a prescription. Both can be harmful if used the wrong way. Always read and follow the label, which tells you the correct dose, how often to take it, and warnings, and for young people, take medicine only with help from a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult. Never take someone else's prescription or share your own, and never take more than directed, since some prescription medicines, like opioid pain medicines, can cause addiction or an overdose when misused. Store medicines out of reach of young children, and get rid of old or unused medicines safely, for example at a drug take-back location.

This explanation is AI-generated and can occasionally be wrong. 🚩 Report