SAFETY
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Managing Medications • Read the labels before taking any medications. • Ask your nurse if you have any questions regard - ing how or why to use the medication. • Take medication exactly as ordered by your med - ical provider. • Do not stop taking any medication abruptly, even if you feel it does not help. • Talk with your nurse or medical provider before stopping any medication. • Store medications in a child-safe location accord - ing to safety and temperature guidelines recom- mended on the containers. • Refills will often be every two weeks. We do this to avoid waste since medications can change of - ten. • Dispose of out-of-date or no longer used medi- cines safely. See below for information on how to dispose this medication properly. Your Care Team can always assist, also. Tips for Taking Medications • The patient should sit up as straight as possible and wet their mouth with a small drink of water before taking medication. • A little jam, applesauce, pudding or ice cream on a spoon with the medications can make swallowing much easier (and tastier!). • Some, but not all, medications can be crushed and given in food to make them easier to swal- low. Always consult your nurse or pharmacist first before crushing any medications. • Give medicines for nausea (upset stomach) about 30 minutes before other medicines.
Prescription Medication You can help to prevent drug misuse, abuse and accidental poisonings by following these DOs and DON’Ts: DOs: • DO keep medications in the original container and out of sight and reach of children and pets. • DO store your medications in a secure area. Con - sider a cabinet or drawer that you can lock. • DO check the date on everything in your medi - cine cabinet and dispose of anything that has passed the expiration date. • DO check to see which medications need to be refrigerated. Make sure they are stored where they will not freeze and where children cannot easily reach them. DON’Ts: • DON’T take medications in front of children, since they tend to mimic adults. • DON’T give your medications to others or take someone else’s medications. • DON’T put different medications into one bottle. • DON’T store medications in places that are hot and humid. • DON’T take a medication that looks different (i.e. color, shape, size, etc.) than you are accustomed to without first checking with your pharmacist. Proper disposal of medications will keep you, your family, your pets and the environment safe! It will also keep medications from being diverted and used illegally. Disposing of Prescription Medication
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