When you go to the doctor, you expect your treating physician to prescribe the correct medication and the right dosage. However, this does not always occur, and you could become the victim of a medication error.
According to the Health Policy Institute, approximately 66% of people in the U.S. rely on a prescription drug to help with a health condition. If you take a prescription drug regularly, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of a medication error.
1. Understand the drug’s purpose
When your doctor recommends a new prescription drug, learn exactly what it is and what the purpose of taking it is. Make sure you understand how much you should take of the medication every day and any common side effects to reduce the risk of a medication error.
2. Keep the original containers
Many prescription drugs look similar, so it is easy to confuse them when stored at your home. Keep your prescription drugs in their original containers and if you have a hard time keeping your different medicines organized, ask your pharmacist or doctor for help.
3. Maintain a list of all your medications
If you take several prescription medications, maintain a list that includes the names of all these drugs and their purpose. Whenever a doctor prescribes you a new medication, add this information to your list.
Even though you may be diligent about preventing a medication error, problems can still occur. This can result in serious consequences that can affect your daily life and even your long-term health.
Seek Help For Your Medication Errors
If you or a loved one has been injured because of a medication error, we recommend you contact us to discuss your legal options. Our malpractice lawyers may be able to help you get the compensation you need to recover after being injured. We provide a no-obligation, free initial consultation. Call 602-910-6779 or send us an e-mail to request your consultation.