Managing Medicines Safely

Managing Medicines Safely | Introduction

Using medicines properly concerns each of us personally. Misuse of prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs can lead to permanent damage and, in some cases, death. Although the medical and pharmaceutical professions also have major roles to play in improving our use of medicines, the greatest improvement can come from a better-educated public. In particular, no other group stands to gain as much from heightened awareness of drug use and potential abuse as do the elderly.

We live in a time when medical advances are happening faster than at any time in the past. Only ten years ago, less than half the medicines now in use were on the market. Partly because of the new drugs, more people live longer, they are healthier and they are far more independent than in past generations. Today's older people in particular benefit from the new medicines.

But with these benefits come risks. Drugs are powerful substances – and if they're not used carefully, the consequences can be serious. Drugs can affect different people in different ways. People can sometimes forget whether or not they took a medicine. They might have trouble keeping track of what to take and when. Because elderly people generally take more medicines than anyone else, they naturally run a greater risk of having problems with drugs.

These risks can be avoided. If you and your loved one know how to prepare for a visit to your doctor, what questions to ask, how to take medicines, and what side effects to watch out for, you can cut down the risks of having bad reactions. The information in this guide can help you do all these things.

Continue to Chapter 1: What You Should Know About Your Medicines...