Protect Yourself from Poisoning Due to Medications

• Keep medications in their original containers to prevent the wrong medication being taken by mistake.
  
  
• Make sure medications are kept in child-resistant containers. Keep medications out of the reach of children. Remember that the term child-resistant does not necessarily mean childproof.
  
  
• Avoid taking medications in front of small children. Small children may want to imitate your actions and take the same medication.
  
  
• Do not tell children that medicine is candy.
  
  
• Read and follow the instructions and warnings on all medications.
  
  
• Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about all medications, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements you are taking. Some dangerous interactions may occur among different medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
  
  
• Avoid mixing medications with alcohol because of possible dangerous interactions.
  
  
• Discard old and outdated medicines correctly by returning them to your pharmacy, doctor's office, or other location approved for disposal of expired or usused medication. Your pharmacist can give you further directions on the safe disposal of medications. Flushing medications down the toilet is not recommended since these may contaminate the water supply.