Before you pop that pill

Every once in a while, all of us need to take prescription or over-the-counter medication. But medicines can be dangerous if they're not used correctly.

Take action:
Before you use any medicine, your doctor should be told: if you have ever had an allergic or unusual reaction to any medicine, food, or other substance; if you are on any special diet – most medicines contain more than their active ingredient, and many liquid medicines contain alcohol; if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant – certain medicines may cause birth defects in the unborn child; if you are breast-feeding – some medicines may pass into the breastmilk and cause unwanted effects in the baby; if you have any medical problems other than the one(s) for which your medicine is prescribed; if you have difficulty remembering things or reading labels.