When it comes to over-the-counter medicine, there are more than 80 classes available in pharmacies and drug stores across the US. You don’t need prescriptions to buy them, and they can be used to treat common flu and illnesses.
Although they are available without a prescription, that doesn’t mean there are no health risks associated with them. If you have following updates on the Tylenol autism lawsuit, you would be aware of the dangers of popular OTC medicines like Tylenol.
To keep your family and yourself safe and healthy, here are a few tips for taking over-the-counter medicine safely.
Read The Label
It is the first and most crucial step of taking over-the-counter medicine. There are many different medicines available for various symptoms. You need to find the right one to treat your symptoms.
You must carefully read the label to understand which medicine you can use. Reading the label to understand the dosing instructions and warnings is also important.
The label will have all the information you need to know before using it. It will tell you the active ingredients in the medicine and how much is in each dose. It will have a uses section to tell you what the medicine can use for. Also, avoid using it for any other symptoms not mentioned in this section. Pay careful attention to the warning section. If this section tells you to take advice from a physician before consumption, then you should follow the same. It will let you know the side effects and interactions and also guide you on what to do in case of an overdose.
Follow The Directions
After reading the label, you would know how to use a certain over-the-counter medicine. It will tell you how much medicine you need to take one time and how frequently you can take it. Also, the safe amount of medicine. Read the directions, understand them, and follow them without making mistakes. Dosages are determined based on age, weight, and pre-existing conditions.
Keep The Orginal Container
One mistake people often make with over-the-counter medicine is changing the container it originally came in with another container or bag for convenience or traveling. It can lead to confusion, and you might end up taking the wrong medicine.
Take Expert Advice
Experts know what’s best for you. Thus, before taking an off-the-counter medicine, seek advice from a pharmacist or a professional health provider. They will even help you find the right OTC medicine for your symptoms.
Don’t Mix Different Medicines
You should only take one medicine at a time and refrain from mixing different medicine to treat multiple symptoms. Each off-the-counter medicine has different active ingredients. Mixing them can cause an adverse effect on your health and also worsen the symptoms.
Mixing two or more types of OTC medicines can put you at risk of worsening the symptoms and causing some new ones. Take only one medicine at a time or with the same active ingredient to avoid health-associated risks. Also, don’t take too many OTC medicines with the same active ingredients. It can cause overdosing.
Have Proper Storage
One more important piece of information that you will find on the label of an over-the-counter medicine is the right way to store it. Proper storage methods are very important to keep medicine in the best possible condition for the longest time.
Also, find the right place to store the medicine, which is away from the reach of children. Choose cabinets and drawers that children can’t reach or open.
Keep A Track
If you are taking more than one OTC medicine, making a list is better. Include all the over-the-counter medicines, prescription drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies you consume to keep track.
Submit the list to your doctor to check for potential side effects or interactions. Also, add each medicine’s active ingredient and the reason for taking them to the list.
Final Words
Over-the-counter medicine can seem like a quick and effective solution for minor symptoms, but if you are not careful, you can put not only your health at risk but the health of your family as well. Pregnant women need to be more careful with their use of over-the-counter medicines to relieve pain or cough. Many OTC drugs can cause potential harm to the unborn baby. For example, Tylenol has been linked to increasing the risk of autism and ADHD in newborn babies. So, before using any over-the-counter medicine, it is better to take advice from a medical professional, pharmacist, or doctor.
