In the News - November 2009
Medicines useful only if used as directed
LITTLE ROCK - Medicines are safe and effective only if used as directed, said
Margaret Harris, Ph.D., assistant professor-health for the University of
Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
"There are more than 100,000 drug products on the market," she said. Each has
at least one active ingredient that works with your body to relieve symptoms.
"With more than 1,000 active ingredients on the market, overdosing, drug
interactions and drug abuse of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs are
growing increasingly common."
With the number of over-the-counter and prescribed medicines that might be in
a family's medicine cabinet, Harris offers tips on using medicines wisely. The
tips are part of the Be Medwise Arkansas program, a health literacy initiative
that pairs the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture with the UAMS
College of Pharmacy and the National Council on Patient Information and
Education.
- Always start by reading the entire drug facts label before using a
medication. Reading the label will help you decide if you have selected
the right product for you.
- Look for an over-the-counter medicine that will treat only the
problems you have.
- Know what to avoid while taking an over-the-counter medicine to
prevent a bad side effect.
- Take the medicine exactly as stated on the label.
"When it comes to medicines, more is not better," Harris said. "Taking
too much of a medicine can be harmful.
"Take only the amount recommended on the label and at the exact intervals
stated on the label," she said.
Amounts are especially important when giving medicines to infants and
children.
"Unless labeled otherwise, adult-strength products should not be given to
children," Harris said. "Doing so could result in accidental overdosing.
"To be safe, don't cut adult tablets in half or estimate a child's dose of an
adult-strength liquid product," she said.
Medicine directions can be confusing as well as too small to read. Be sure to
ask a pharmacist or your doctor to explain if the directions aren't clear,
Harris said.
"Your health is too important to play guessing games," she said.
For more information about how to Be MedWise, contact your local county
Extension agent or visit www.uaex.edu. A podcast on this
topic can be found online at:
www.uaex.edu/news/october2009/
1028_UseMedicinesWisely_video_audio.htm.
The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
November 6, 2009
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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