Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs usually help to heal the disease or relieve pain. However, in order to make sure that the prescribed medication works effectively, and does not destroy the patient’s health, it is important to take it in accordance with the doctor’s prescription. Improper use of such drugs can be harmful to the patient. Overdose of these drugs can even be fatal.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among those who died from an opioid prescription overdose between 1999 and 2014, rates were highest among people aged 25 to 54 years.
As such, overdose of prescription drugs is never deliberate, as many drugs, such as painkillers, cough syrups, etc., are supplied with measuring tools, such as spoons, cups, syringes, etc., to provide the correct dose. However, the probability of an overdose is highest in cases where a person is dependent on prescription drugs. In addition, a situation may arise when a person succumbs to an accidental overdose.
However, certain strategies can be taken to avoid accidental overdose. Some of them:
Read the label: Prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs should always be administered according to the information on their label. The dose should be determined by the doctor taking into account the instructions and warnings on the label with the drug, among other factors. Since the drugs are usually sold with different strengths, the instructions regarding the dose vary for children, adults, etc. In case of any doubt, it is always helpful to consult a doctor. It should be ensured that the label is read at least once each time before giving the drug.
Keep in mind the "active ingredient:" Before using a medicine to treat a health condition, you should always check its active ingredients, which are usually mentioned at the top of the Facts on Drugs label. If a person consumes two different medicines with the same active ingredient, this means that he or she takes twice the amount of the prescribed dose. In such cases, it is better to consult a doctor.
Know the weight of a person: Since a particular medicine is often used to treat the same health condition in an adult, infant, and child, the prescribed dose varies for each. It is mainly determined on the basis of various factors, such as age, weight, etc. In the case of children, it is especially important to know the dose. Care should be taken to comply with the exact instructions of the doctor to avoid any complications.
Know the difference between a teaspoon and a tablespoon: Do not hesitate to confirm with the doctor whenever there is any confusion associated with the dosage of the medicine. The confusion between a tablespoon (T or tbsp) and a teaspoon (t or tsp) is common and very dangerous, because a tablespoon of a drug provides three times more drug than a teaspoon.
Use proper dosing deviceA: It is highly recommended to use the correct dosing device to give medicine to a person, especially children. This is done so that the person is given only the prescribed dose of medication to avoid any complications associated with the medication.
Do not use a kitchen spoon to measure the dosage of the drug, as it will never help to measure the correct amount of medicine. Drinking liquid medicine straight from the bottle is a big “no”, as a person can get a dose that doubles or triple the prescribed amount.
Learn effective ways to avoid overdose of prescription drugs.
Over the past few years, the mortality rate from overdose due to prescription drugs has increased due to lack of awareness. It is therefore important to ensure that some effective measures are taken to curb deaths from drug overdose. In addition, prescription drugs should be taken as recommended by the doctor to reduce the chance of an accidental overdose.
