Drugs and Medicines
* Only take prescription medications that are prescribed to you by a healthcare professional. Misusing or abusing prescription or over-the-counter medications is not a “safe” alternative to illicit substance abuse.
* Never take larger or more frequent doses of your medications, particularly prescription pain medications, to try to get faster or more powerful effects.
* Never share or sell your prescription drugs. Keep all prescription medicines (especially prescription painkillers, such as those containing methadone, hydrocodone, or oxycodone), over-the-counter medicines (including pain or fever relievers and cough and cold medicines), vitamins and herbals in a safe place that can only be reached by people who take or give them.
* Follow directions on the label when you give or take medicines. Read all warning labels. Some medicines cannot be taken safely when you take other medicines or drink alcohol.
* Turn on a light when you give or take medicines at night so that you know you have the correct amount of the right medicine.
* Keep medicines in their original bottles or containers.
* Monitor the use of medicines prescribed for children and teenagers, such as medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.1
* Dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs. Follow federal guidelines for how to do this (FDA 2011).External Web Site Icon
* Participate in National Drug Take Back days recognized by the Drug Enforcement Administration or local take back programs in your community. External Web Site Icon