Health Topics for Personal Safety

Department of Emergency Medicine

Emergency Medical Services Learning Resources Center

Medicine: more is not better

Do you use one or more prescription medicines? Have you ever taken a number of different medicines at different times? Do you use common, over-the-counter medicines? Medicines often do great good when used properly, but it is not true that "more is better."

Many medicines are harmful if you take too much. This includes even over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, acetaminophen, vitamins, iron supplements, sleep aids, and cold and asthma medications.

Many prescription medicines are harmful if taken in large amounts. These include:

• asthma medicines
• heart pills
• tranquilizers
• anti-depressants
• diet pills
• sedatives
• painkillers
• diuretics and
• antipsychotics

Always take medicine according to the directions on the label. Do not double-up and take more than the label directs. If you miss a dose, check with a healthcare provider to see how much to take. Never take someone else's prescription medication.

Carefully secure medications if someone in the home is depressed. He or she may think about hurting himself by taking an overdose. Keep medications in locked cabinets, safe from children.

If there are children in your household, you should avoid buying certain medicines, like aspirin, iron, and vitamins in very large containers. Discard all medicines when they are no longer in use. You should also discard them if they change color, crumble, or if it is past the expiration date on the label.

If someone has serious side effects or overdoses on a medication, call 911 for emergency help. You may also get information about medications from your local poison control center. Keep its phone number posted by the phone.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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