Take medicines as prescribed
- Follow the dose, timing, and instructions on the label — for example with food or on an empty stomach.
- Don't stop a medicine early or change the dose without talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. [4]
- Finish antibiotics exactly as prescribed, and never share them or keep leftovers for later. [2]
- Never take medicine prescribed for someone else.
- If you miss a dose, check the leaflet or ask a pharmacist — don't automatically double up.
Keep an up-to-date medicine list
Write down every medicine you take, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, with the dose and how often. Show it to every doctor and pharmacist you see. Also make sure they know about any allergies. [1]
Avoiding interactions
Some medicines don't mix well with other medicines, foods, or alcohol. Before starting anything new — even a painkiller or herbal remedy — ask your pharmacist whether it is safe with what you already take. [1,4]
Storage and disposal
- Store medicines as the label says, usually somewhere cool and dry, away from sunlight.
- Keep all medicines out of sight and reach of children.
- Check expiry dates, and don't use medicines that are out of date or look different.
- Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused medicines safely. [3]
Get medical help urgently if you have
- Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or difficulty breathing after a medicine — call emergency services.
- A widespread rash, blistering, or peeling skin.
- Taken too much of a medicine, or a child has swallowed medicine.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising while on blood thinners.
References
- 1.World Health Organization. Medication Without Harm: WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge. Geneva: WHO; 2017.
- 2.World Health Organization. Antimicrobial resistance (fact sheet). Geneva: WHO.
- 3.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines. Silver Spring (MD): FDA.
- 4.MedlinePlus. Medicines. Bethesda (MD): U.S. National Library of Medicine.
This information is for general education and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own health. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.