When you think of personal injuries, your mind may not immediately consider injuries caused by an experienced medical professional in California. Know that you stand just as much of a chance of suffering an injury at your doctor or pharmacist’s office as you do at the Griffith Observatory.
To lower your risk of a medication error, see what the Mayo Clinic has to say on the matter. Prescription medication should improve your health, not endanger it.
Ask questions
Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist about anything that you do not understand about your prescription or how to take it. Get clarity on how the medication should work and when you can expect it to start taking effect. Also, ask what dose you should take and when to take it. Asking about side effects and how you can deal with them is a good idea.
Consider medication reconciliation
If you take multiple medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist about medication reconciliation. The way it works is you and your doctor compare the list of medications you take to better avoid harmful drug interactions, missed doses, dosing mistakes and taking duplicate medication. Reconciliation is ideal whenever you start taking a new medication, start seeing a new doctor or are admitted to a health care facility.
Check your prescription
When you go to pick up your medication, take a moment to double-check to ensure it has your name on it and matches the name of the medication your doctor prescribed.
This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.