Skipping dosesSkipping doses of medication can dangerously affect your health. Communicate with your pharmacist about cost concerns to explore affordable options.
Splitting pills that aren’t meant to be splitSplitting pills without a score line can lead to incorrect dosages. Notify your pharmacist if you're instructed to split pills without a score line to ensure proper dosage or seek alternatives.
Not completing dosageFinishing prescribed antibiotics is crucial to prevent relapse or worsening infections, helping to curb antibiotic resistance. Always follow your doctor's advice on completing medication courses.
Doubling dosesDoubling doses when you forget one can be harmful, causing adverse effects like dangerous drops in blood pressure.
Taking somebody else's medicationTaking medication not prescribed to you poses serious health risks. Consult your doctor if you're ill and believe you need medication instead of taking someone else's.
Forgetting to take medicationConsistently missing doses undermines treatment effectiveness. Utilise pharmacy services like medication packaging or apps to organise and remind you of dosages for complex treatment plans.
Stopping or not taking medication because of side effectsDiscontinuing medication due to side effects without consulting a doctor can lead to health complications or withdrawal symptoms. Always seek medical advice before altering your medication regimen.
Storing medicinesFactors such as temperature, humidity and light can damage medicines. Always store medicines in a cool, dry place like a shelf in a closet.
Mixing medicinesMixing over-the-counter drugs with prescription medications renders both ineffective because the body cannot absorb them at the same time.
Rate of dependenceSome prescription medication users develop an overdependence on their medications and will go to any length to continue using them or obtain additional prescriptions.
From symptoms to treatment: 10 things to know about mumps