Alert: Don’t Share Your Medications with Others

Posted 23 March 2012 by asanders & filed under Blog, Member News.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in four adults in the U.S. shares his or her prescription drugs.

MHS wants you to know that sharing drugs is not a good idea! First of all, the person taking the shared drug may be taking the wrong drug for a certain health problem. When a doctor suggests a drug, it is based on solid facts. He or she will often do an exam, take note of your past health record, and use knowledge and skill to figure out what’s wrong.

If you have not seen a healthcare expert, you shouldn’t choose to take a drug yourself. You don’t know what drug you need because you don’t know the real problem you may have. By sharing drugs, you’re even putting yourself at risk. You may get sick from the drug if you have a drug allergy, or the drug may not mix well with others you are taking.

Secondly, many drugs have names that sound like each other but do not have the same results. Keep in mind: sharing opinions may be smart — but sharing drugs is NEVER wise!