Preventing accidental poisonings caused by prescribed medicines

Brian Wolfe, Pharm.D., BCPS, inpatient clinical pharmacy coordinator
Ball Memorial Hospital

Q. What is the telephone number for the Indiana Poison Control Center?
A. Any poison control center in the U.S. can now be reached by a single nationwide telephone number 800.222.1222. This telephone number should be posted visibly in your home.

Q. As my parents are getting older, I’m helping them with their medicines. What can I do to prevent an accidental poisoning from their prescribed medications?
A. With more than 90 percent of poisonings occurring in the home and more than 19 million Americans caring for someone over the age of 75, caregivers and family members of seniors play a critical role in preventing poisonings. To prevent a medication error or an accidental poisoning in a senior, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) recommends following these tips:

• Keep a list of your medicines. A written record of medications including medication name, dosage, and frequency, is an important tool to have during physician visits and in case of an emergency. It is also important to record any over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, supplements, or herbal products being taken. Having a family member or caregiver keep a copy of this list is also invaluable.
• Learn about your medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain each medication, the food and medicines to be avoided, and possible reactions and side effects. Family members or caregivers should also be given this information.
• Use one pharmacy. Many seniors receive prescriptions from more than one doctor, making drug interactions more likely. By using one pharmacy, all of your prescriptions are consolidated and your pharmacist can check for possible interactions between medicines. Your pharmacist is also a good resource to advise you on over-the-counter medicines that are safe to use in combination with your prescribed medicines.
• Keep a journal. Make note of all symptoms, especially after taking medicines. Side effects such as dizziness, nausea, or drowsiness, may signal a need for adjusting your medication regimen.
• Maintain a schedule. Take your medicines at a regular time or in a routine manner to decrease the chances of missing dosages or taking more than needed. The use of a pillbox or calendar may help with this too.

Q. Are there any special precautions I should take with my children’s medicines?
A. ASHP recommends following these five tips:
Use original child-resistant containers. Use child-resistant closures on medicines and other products and always keep all medications (both prescription, nonprescription, and dietary supplements) in their original child-resistant containers.

• Always call medicine “medicine.” Avoid calling medicine “candy” in order to get your child to take the medicine. 
• Check your medicines periodically for expiration dates.  If a medication is not dated, consider it expired six months after purchase.
• Avoid putting medicines in open trash containers.  This is especially important in the kitchen or bathroom because many adult medications can be deadly to small children. Instead, discard unused or unwanted medications in an unneeded sealed container mixed with coffee grounds or other wastes.
• Keep medications secure. Keep all medicines, including OTC's, herbals, vitamins, and supplements, out of reach of children, or in a locked cabinet. 

Q. Where else can I get good information on how to use medicines safely?
A. Medication tips and information on using medicine safely can be found on ASHP’s consumer Web site, www.SafeMedication.com or www.poisonprevention.org .

 
Brian Wolfe, Pharm.D., BCPS is the inpatient clinical pharmacy coordinator at Ball Memorial Hospital. He can be reached at (765) 747-3033 or info@chsmail.org.

Back to CHS News