As more public figures lose their lives to drug overdoses, it helps raise awareness for the potential for drug overdose in the everyday lives of all Americans prescribed different medications. For many people, multiple medications are provided to them to help them function mentally and physically. Sometimes, medications are not prescribed, such as over-the-counter medications, but can still cause a deadly reaction when their properties adversely mix with the chemicals of another drug that is taken by the same user. While it is common for people to take more than one medication a day, it is important to know what to do to prevent an accidental drug overdose.
Overdose Prevention Tips
There are a number of suggestions that can help you avoid a drug overdose, including the following:
- Avoid cocktails – Talk with your doctor about all medications that you are currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs. Overdoses often occur because a person was unaware that certain drugs could cause adverse side effects when combined. Make sure that you have gotten information from your doctor about when to take your medications, what other medications to avoid, how long you should wait between taking medications and what the signs of overdose may be.
- Do not experiment – Do not experiment with the kinds of medications you have been prescribed or have in your home. Combining medications may lead you to feel you are creating an enjoyable high, but you are really putting your body at risk for overdose. Make sure you know what you are taking and when to take it and never bend the rules with your medications without a doctor’s approval.
- Do not take drugs from others – Even if you are prescribed the same medication as someone you know, do not take pills from anyone other than your doctor or pharmacist. While the medication may appear to be the same, similar medications can cause completely different side effects in different individuals. Also, taking drugs from people you do not know is dangerous, as you cannot be sure what is contained in the medication that you are taking.
- Take the appropriate dosage – If you have not taken a specific medication in a long time, you should not take the same dosage as you were previously prescribed. Taking this amount can jolt the system and may begin to shut down vital organs that sustain the life of the user. Only take what is prescribed to you under a doctor’s advisement.
By staying educated on your medication and knowing its negative and positive interactions, you can be empowered to make healthy choices that can help you avoid the risk of overdose. Keep in contact with your doctor to ensure the appropriate medication is being administered at the correct dosage and do not share, experiment or mix your medications with anything that is not doctor recommended or approved.
Finding Help for a Drug Abuse Problem
If you or someone you love is struggling with drug abuse, please call our toll-free helpline now. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and offer the advice you need to stay sober. Do not risk a possible overdose. Call us today.